Introduced in Senate — S. 5499

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5499

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 24, 2026

Mr. Warner introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the 21st Century Cures Act to reauthorize the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Tick-borne disease Opposition and Prevention Through Investment in Collaboration, Knowledge, and Surveillance Act or the STOP TICKS Act.

Sec. 2. Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

Section 2062(c) of the 21st Century Cures Act (42 U.S.C. 284s(c)) is amended—

(1)

by striking date of enactment of this Act each place it appears and inserting date of enactment of the STOP TICKS Act;

(2)

in paragraph (1), by striking all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services and inserting all efforts across the Federal Government; and

(3)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking Seven and inserting Thirteen; and

(ii)

by striking clause (v) and inserting the following:

(v)
The Agricultural Research Service.
(vi)
The Forest Service.
(vii)
The National Park Service.
(viii)
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
(ix)
The Environmental Protection Agency.
(x)
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(xi)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
(xii)
The Bureau of Land Management.
(xiii)
The Defense Health Agency.; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking Seven and inserting Ten.

Sec. 3. National strategy and regional centers of excellence in vector-borne diseases

Section 317U(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b–23(f)) is amended by striking $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Sec. 4. Enhanced support to assist health departments in addressing vector-borne diseases

Section 2822(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–32(c)) is amended by striking $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $21,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.