The Homestake AI Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to establish a program to collect and sequence the complete genomes of extremophile organisms—animals, plants, fungi, and microbes that thrive in extreme environments like deep mines—to advance scientific discovery and develop new treatments for cancer, diabetes, and dementia. The initiative requires the department to identify at least five collection locations within 180 days, including at least one underground mine deeper than 4,500 feet, and to create a comprehensive genomic database accessible to U.S. researchers while restricting access from foreign adversaries. The legislation mandates construction of a secure, disaster-resistant long-term storage facility within one year to preserve biological samples collected over a five-year period, with sample management coordinated across the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies. The bill authorizes unspecified appropriations for the program and establishes a working group to coordinate research efforts with allied nations including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and European Union members to avoid duplicative spending and maximize scientific collaboration.
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