“A bill to establish the America's Living Library Project, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes the America’s Living Library Project pilot program, to be administered by a new or designated office within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), to facilitate collection of new genomic data from species (animals, plants, fungi, and microbes) found in units of the National Park System. In carrying out the program, the USGS Director must coordinate with the National Park Service, Department of Agriculture, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Center for Biotechnology Information, and other agencies to (1) collect, catalog, and whole-genome sequence samples subject to permitting under the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. 42 (injurious wildlife), and Lacey Act; (2) create a publicly available genomic database (withholding personally identifiable information and sensitive locality data); (3) integrate taxonomic systems such as the Integrated Taxonomic Information System; and (4) provide long-term sample storage. The USGS office is authorized to hire staff, enter contracts or agreements with federal agencies and public or private entities, accept vetted in-kind contributions (e.g., sequencing technology) from biotechnology companies, and use other federal resources. Not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary must select, in consultation with the National Park Service Director, five initial National Park System units based on biological landscape, implementation feasibility, operational readiness, and quality of education.