Homestake AI Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a Department of Energy initiative to collect and sequence the whole genomes of animals, plants, fungi, and microbes living in extreme environments, such as deep mines or areas with intense heat or pressure.
• The goal is to build a genetic database that could help researchers find new treatments for cancer, diabetes, and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
• The Energy Department must plan a new long-term storage facility for the samples that can keep operating even after a catastrophic event like an earthquake or meteor strike.
• The bill restricts sharing of the genomic data with adversary nations and bans sending physical samples outside the United States, while allowing cooperation with allied countries like the UK, Japan, and EU members.
• Sample collection is limited to five years after the law passes, and the bill authorizes whatever funding is needed without setting a specific dollar amount.