Bill · S. 4770· Senate(119-S-4770)
Web of Biological Data Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/11/2026
- Last activity
- 6/11/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Todd Young
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Web of Biological Data Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Energy to grant a National Laboratory the task of creating a centralized data resource called the "Web of Biological Data." This resource aims to help biological research by using advanced computational methods like artificial intelligence. It will act as a single point of entry for researchers to access biological data, especially data funded by the Federal Government. The bill establishes a two-phase rollout plan, an advisory board, and a research and development program for data science. It also mandates cybersecurity safeguards and independent assessments to protect the data.
Yes· 3 of 29
Does this put more money into scientific research?+8
Directly funds a new national resource and R&D program for biological data science.
Does this put more money into medical research?+7
Directly authorizes millions in funding for biological data science and R&D.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+6
Mandates tiered cybersecurity safeguards and biannual independent assessments for critical biological data.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill mandates the creation of a new resource and authorizes substantial appropriations.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill authorizes significant new federal spending totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Increases government expenditure without an identified funding source other than appropriations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Biological Research: By creating a single point of entry for researchers to access various sources of biological data, the bill facilitates biological research through artificial intelligence and advanced computational methods (Section 2(b)(1)(A) and 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Better Data Quality: The Web will include metadata and metrics to show data quality, specifically regarding its completeness, interoperability, and usability (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Advanced Data Science: The bill establishes a research and development program to improve how biological data is generated, stored, managed, and curated (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Secure Data Handling: To prevent the misuse of data, the bill requires tiered cybersecurity safeguards, access controls, and biannual independent cybersecurity assessments (Section 2(b)(2)(C), 2(f)(2)(G), and 2(g)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restricted Access: The Secretary may limit access to the data for countries determined to be adversarial or those that do not participate in reciprocal data sharing (Section 2(e)(1)(D)).
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Financial Costs: The bill authorizes the appropriation of significant government funds, including $30,000,000 for research and development and $310,000,000 for Phase I (Section 2(k)(1) and 2(k)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Young Adults+2Good For Billionaires+1Good For Children+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For High Net Worth Individuals+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Middle Aged+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+1
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+7Improves Pandemic Preparedness+5Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+2Improves Healthcare Access+1Improves Opioid Crisis Response+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+8Improves Data Privacy+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+6Improves International Alliances+3Improves Diplomatic Engagement+2Increases Counter Terrorism Funding+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Improves Privacy Rights+3Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2Reduces Government Spending-5Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces National Debt-2
- 6/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota