United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

S 4363 — Engineering Biology Readiness Act

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 34% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

The Engineering Biology Readiness Act aims to support and prepare the U.S. for advancements in biological research and technology. It focuses on ensuring safety and security in the use of engineered biological systems in various fields, including healthcare and environmental protection.

Bill Text

Sections of law this bill changes

1 section in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Homeland security organization · 6 U.S.C. ch. 1 1 section
  • § 104 National biodefense strategy Amends

    6 U.S.C. § 104 — at 104(d)

    The law today

    (a) Strategy and implementation plan required The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly develop a national biodefense strategy and associated implementation plan, which shall include a review and assessment of biodefense policies, practices, programs and initiatives. Such Secretaries shall review and, as appropriate, revise the strategy biennially. (b) Elements The strategy and associated implementation plan required under subsection (a) shall include each of the following: (1) An inventory and assessment of all existing strategies, plans, policies, laws, and interagency agreements related to biodefense, including prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation. (2) A description of the biological threats, including biological warfare, bioterrorism, naturally occurring infectious diseases, and accidental exposures. (3) A description of the current programs, efforts, or activities of the United States Government with respect to preventing the acquisition, proliferation, and use of a biological weapon, preventing an accidental or naturally occurring biological outbreak, and mitigating the effects of a biological epidemic. (4) A description of the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Agencies, including internal and external coordination procedures, in identifying and sharing information related to, warning of, and protection against, acts of terrorism using biological agents and weapons and accidental or naturally occurring biological outbreaks. (5) An articulation of related or required interagency capabilities and whole-of-Government activities required to support the national biodefense strategy. (6) Recommendations for strengthening and improving the current biodefense capabilities, authorities, and command structures of the United States Government. (7) Recommendations for improving and formalizing interagency coordination and support mechanisms with respect to providing a robust national biodefense. (8) Any other matters the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Agriculture determine necessary. (c) Submittal to Congress Not later than 275 days after December 23, 2016, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees the strategy and associated implementation plan required by subsection (a). The strategy and implementation plan shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (d) Briefings Not later than March 1, 2017, and annually thereafter until March 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a joint briefing on the strategy developed under subsection (a) and the status of the implementation of such strategy. (e) GAO Review Not later than 180 days after the date of the submittal of the strategy and implementation plan under subsection (c), the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the strategy and implementation plan to analyze gaps and resources mapped against the requirements of the National Biodefense Strategy and existing United States biodefense policy documents. (f) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means the following: (1) The congressional defense committees. (2) The Committee on Energy and Commerce of th...

    3 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Also cites: 6 U.S.C. § 106, 42 U.S.C. § 18901

How this bill changes current law

11 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill extends the requirement for annual briefings on the National Biodefense Strategy and mandates analysis and recommendations regarding the risks of engineering biology.

  • 6 U.S.C. 104(d)

    March 1, 2025 → the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

    The deadline for annual briefings on the National Biodefense Strategy is extended from March 1, 2025, to a new date five years after a specified future enactment.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(D)

    such findings shall include an analysis of, and recommendations to enhance, the readiness of the United States national security enterprise and life science research enterprise against engineering biology risks.

    The requirement for findings from the biodefense threat assessment will now include an analysis and recommendations about engineering biology risks.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(A)

    An assessment of the threat to national security and public safety posed by current and anticipated engineering biology risks.

    An assessment of threats related to engineering biology will be included in the biennial biodefense threat assessment.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(B)

    A description of current lines of research and development in covered departments and agencies relating to biodefense against engineering biology risks, including prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation.

    A description of relevant research and development efforts related to engineering biology's biodefense will be added to the threat assessment findings.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(C)

    An analysis of authorities, regulations, and programs pertaining to engineering biology risks, in the United States, including biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense.

    Analysis of existing authorities and regulations regarding engineering biology will be required in the threat assessment.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(D)

    An evaluation of gaps, deficiencies, redundancies, and ambiguities in authorities and regulations pertaining to engineering biology risks.

    An evaluation of regulatory gaps concerning engineering biology will be included in the findings shared with Congress.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(E)

    Such other matters as the heads of the covered departments and agencies jointly consider relevant.

    Flexibility is allowed for additional relevant topics to be included in the analysis.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(A)

    Aligning lines of research and development across covered departments and agencies to reduce redundant efforts and promote the mutual benefit for purposes of biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense against engineering biology risks.

    Recommendations will be made to promote inter-agency collaboration in engineering biology research.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(B)

    Modernizing biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense authorities, regulations, and programs pertaining to engineering biology risks to ensure the United States-- (i) mitigates the safety and security threat to national security and public safety posed by engineering biology risks;

    Recommendations will include updating existing biosecurity and biosafety regulations to address risks from engineering biology.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(C)

    Establishing a program or programs, or modernizing an existing program or programs-- (i) to establish and enforce safeguards to mitigate engineering biology risks to national security or public safety;

    Proposals for new or improved programs to address engineering biology risks will be recommended.

  • 6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(D)

    For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C), detailed proposed legislative action and an estimate of the amount of funding necessary to ensure that relevant programs have adequate resources.

    Detailed legislative and funding proposals to support enhanced biosecurity efforts will be included in the recommendations.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 545 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (545)

545 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 545 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

technology agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 4363 do?
The Engineering Biology Readiness Act aims to support and prepare the U.S. for advancements in biological research and technology. It focuses on ensuring safety and security in the use of engineered biological systems in various fields, including healthcare and environmental protection.
Who sponsors S 4363?
S 4363 is sponsored by Budd, Ted (Republican) and Kaine, Tim (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 4363?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 4363?
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