Undiscovered Biological Data from U.S. Public Lands could Hold Key to Next AIxBio Breakthrough

Undiscovered Biological Data from U.S. Public Lands could Hold Key to Next AIxBio Breakthrough 

As AI and biotech converge, biological data is becoming a strategic national resource. New legislation creates a comprehensive database to support the next generation of transformative discoveries across our public lands.   

5 MARCH 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC –

Today, the Congressional Commissioners of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) introduced legislation to maximize the quality, quantity, and availability of AI-ready biological data for researchers in the United States by looking to the expansive natural ecosystems found on federal public lands.  

Based on a key NSCEB recommendation from the April 2025 Action Plan, Chair Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and NSCEB Commissioners Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced the America’s Living Library Act of 2026 which would initiate a project to collect, catalog, and sequence genomic information of animals, plants, fungi, and microbes on U.S. public lands. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) joined their colleagues as original co-sponsors in the Senate. Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) joined his colleagues as an original co-sponsor in the House. 

In its April 2025 report, NSCEB reported that biological data lie at the heart of emerging biotechnologies and that the U.S. must treat biological data as a strategic national resource. The diverse and unique natural resources, flora, and fauna found in America’s public lands are an enormous resource for biological data. Prioritizing collection of this biological data will keep us ahead in the global biotechnology competition, unlocking innovation in medicine, agriculture, and industrial production. 

Legislative Details: 

The America’s Living Library Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to: 

1. Establish a sampling, collection, and sequencing process that follows National Park Service and Department of Interior standards for collection. 
2. Create opportunities for education and outreach related to science, biological data, and nature, at the selected National Parks. 
3. Create a public database to store genomic information gained through this effort, to include high quality, standardized, AI-ready datasets. 
4. Create collection and storage capacity for biological samples in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture and Smithsonian Institution. 
5. Engage with a broad set of stakeholders to ensure public views and ideas are incorporated into program implementation. 
6. Establish or designate an existing office with the U.S. Geological Survey to carry out the America’s Living Library project. 

Learn more about the America’s Living Library Act HERE.

 

“We cannot afford to stand by while China and other adversaries compile massive biological datasets intended to undermine our national and economic security,” said NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (IN). “Our bill will leverage our natural resources as national strategic assets, a necessary step in ensuring the U.S. remains the global tech leader.” 

“The majesty of America’s public lands extends far beyond their sweeping views and natural beauty,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “For generations, discoveries rooted in nature have led to medicines, technologies, and industries that improve lives and strengthen our economy. In our April 2025 report, the NSCEB recommended unlocking more of this potential by collecting and organizing the biological information found within these living systems. This legislation takes an important step toward putting that vision into action.” 

“An incomparable trove of biological data is available right here in the U.S.,” said NSCEB Commissioner Alexander Titus. “America’s biodiversity is unmatched, and in many cases, entirely unique to our ecosystems. The biological data available on our public lands will provide researchers and the public with the resources to put us at the leading edge of the AIxBio frontier.” 

“This legislation will do more than expand our scientific knowledge — it will equip the next generation of biotechnologists with real-world genomic data to train on, experiment with, and build from” said NSCEB Commissioner Angela Belcher. “America’s public lands inspire millions of visitors each year to learn and explore, and now we can harness that spirit and empower future biotech leaders to innovate boldly.”  

“America’s public lands contain rich biological data with enormous potential to bolster our medicine, agriculture, supply chain, and national security. Yet despite the wide variety of climates and biodiversity in our 63 National Parks, the United States has failed to capitalize on this abundance of biological data as a strategic national resource,” said Senator Alex Padilla (CA). “That’s why our bipartisan, bicameral bill would kickstart a comprehensive project to survey organisms on our public lands and collect key genomic samples to better understand the full range of America’s biological landscape and to the harness the full power of American innovation.” 

“Biological data from America’s vast public lands is a strategic national asset that must not only be secured, but made accessible to American innovators,” said Representative Stephanie Bice (OK). “The convergence of AI and biotech is transforming what we can do with biology and it requires high-quality data. This act will safeguard our competitive edge and unleash growth across the biotechnology sector with the help of the plants, animals, and fungi that make up our incredible national landscape.” 

“I’m proud to sponsor America’s Living Library Act of 2026 alongside Sens. Padilla and Young and Rep. Bice to help further our nation’s understanding of biology and our natural resources across America’s 85 million acres of national parks and enable future biotech breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and industrial production,” said Representative Ro Khanna (CA). 

“ConservAmerica strongly supports the America’s Living Library Act as a strategic step to ensure the United States remains competitive in biotechnology as countries like China are already investing in sequencing biodiversity within their own national parks,” said Jason Solomon, Director of Government Affairs, ConservAmerica. “We deeply value our national parks and recognize that their importance extends far beyond recreation. They are reservoirs of scientific discovery, biological diversity, and long-term economic strength. Treating biological data as a national asset reinforces both American innovation and responsible stewardship.” 

“Biological data is quickly becoming one of the most strategic resources of the 21st century, and the America’s Living Library Act is a vital step to securing the information at the heart of emerging biotechnologies,” said Ylli Bajraktari, President of the SCSP Action Program. “By treating our natural genomic wealth as a national asset, we will build the high-quality, AI-ready datasets required for the United States—not our adversaries—to lead the bio-revolution. This critical infrastructure positions America at the forefront of the biofuture, powered by American innovation and leadership.” 

Endorsements for the America’s Living Library Act of 2026:

• American Alliance for Biomanufacturing 
• American Institute of Biological Sciences 
• American Society of Microbiology 
• Applied Research Institute 
• Biotechnology Innovation Organization 
• ConservAmerica 
• Elanco 
• Eli Lilly 
• Gingko Bioworks 
• Inari 
• Indiana Life Sciences Association 
• Indiana University 
• Information Technology and Innovation Foundation 
• Natural Science Collections Alliance 
• SCSP Action Program 

 

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.

Contacts:

NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov