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Senate bill · S9279 (2025-26)

Relates to the operation of gene synthesis providers and manufacturers of gene synthesis equipment

PassedLatest action Jun 2, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A3283, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A3283, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor

Michael Gianaris

Democratic/Working Families

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Summary

Requires gene synthesis providers and manufacturers of gene synthesis equipment to operate in accordance with rules and regulations issued by the department of health, including identifying potentially dangerous sequences and maintaining certain records.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Public Health Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 23, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

"To amend the public health law, in relation to the operation of gene synthesis providers and manufacturers of gene synthesis equipment"

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Health · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Health · New York State Senate.

The sponsor's argument

Why Michael Gianaris says this is needed

Gene synthesis describes the synthetic biology process utilized to create artificial genes. This is most commonly done within a laboratory setting, and recently, has been used widespread by large biotech corpo- rations. Recent advancements in gene synthesis technology present both great opportunities as well as great risks. New York currently lacks even basic regulations to ensure gene synthesis technologies do not put bioweapons in the hands of terrorists. For example, as the law currently stands, gene synthesis producers do not even need to screen orders against federal databases of dangerous individuals who pose a known threat to the state. By requiring gene synthesis providers and manufac- turers of gene synthesis equipment to act in accordance with Department of Health regulations, developed in consideration of the International Gene Synthesis Consortium protocols, this bill will address the poten- tial catastrophic threat posed by New York's lack of gene synthesis safety controls.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 2, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A3283, the matching Assembly bill.

    (61) (0) (0) (2)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Health

    Senate HealthMay 19, 2026Result: passed

    (15) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. Jun 2, 2026

    3RD Reading CAL.1239

    3RD READING CAL.1239

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 2, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. Jun 2, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED FOR S9279A

    NY Senate

  4. May 21, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  5. May 20, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

Show full history (13 earlier events)
  1. May 19, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.1239

    1ST REPORT CAL.1239

    NY Senate

  2. Mar 23, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  3. Mar 23, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  4. Mar 23, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  5. Mar 19, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading CAL.315

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.315

    NY Assembly

  6. Mar 17, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED

    NY Assembly

  7. Mar 13, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Health

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  8. Mar 12, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Health

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  9. Feb 24, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  10. Feb 23, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Health

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  11. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  12. Mar 12, 2025

    Amend (t) and Recommit to Health

    AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  13. Jan 27, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly