The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2002 and the USA Patriot Act of 2001 require that research institutions collect information regarding "select agents" and register their presence with the federal government. DHHS and USDA have issued separate but complementary regulations.
In order for the campus to comply with the New Select Agent Regulation (42 CFR 73) and Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7CFR Pt 331 and 9CFR Pt 121) the use of any Select Biological Agents and Toxins, High Consequence Pathogens or Toxins, or Plant Pathogens, must be reported it at proposal submission and to Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).
The Patriot Act also prohibits "Restricted Persons" from possessing, shipping, transporting or receiving Select Agents and prohibits the possession of a "Biological Agent, Toxin or Delivery System" of a type or in a quantity that, under the circumstances, is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose. The CDC Select Agent Program web site has a set of FAQs where you can learn more.
If you are proposing to use an agent on the list of Select Biological Agents and Toxins in your research you must file a Select Agent Registration Form with EHS. For more information, contact the Biological Safety Officer at EHS, at 545-2682.