Biotechnology Diplomacy and Expertise Enhancement Act of 2026

This bill changes the State Department's Regional Technology Officer Program to add biotechnology experts and to require all current and new Regional Technology Officers to receive specialized biotechnology training. The training would cover topics such as gene editing, biosecurity, ethics, international rules, and negotiating biotechnology agreements. Officers with this training would get priority for assignments to countries or regions where biotechnology matters to U.S. foreign policy. The Secretary of State would have to send Congress an implementation plan within 180 days and an annual progress report. The bill also lets the Secretary hire the needed staff even if a hiring freeze is in place.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• James C. Moylan Republican sponsor
• 4 cosponsors