Kay Hagan Tick Act Reauthorization
What does the Kay Hagan Tick Act Reauthorization do?
HR 4348 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-4). Section 317U of the Public Health Service Act authorizes a national strategy and regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease at CDC to identify, report, prevent, and respond to vector-borne diseases including tick-borne illnesses; section 2822 authorizes enhanced support to help state and local health departments address vector-borne diseases. Both authorizations lapsed at the end of fiscal year 2025 — this bill reauthorizes them for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and also replaces the requirement that CDC consult with the statutorily named "Tick-Borne Disease Working Group" with a broader requirement to consult with "appropriate individuals", and adds language requiring the national strategy to address the underlying capacity of state and local health departments to identify, report, prevent, and respond to such diseases.
Did HR 4348 pass? Where it stands
As of July 24, 2026, HR 4348 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on July 20, 2026
Outlook: Likely
Key provisions
- Vector-Borne Disease Authorities Reauthorized
- Section 317U of the Public Health Service Act reauthorized through FY2030
- Section 2822 (enhanced support for health departments) reauthorized through FY2030
- Prior authorization window: FY2021-FY2025
- Consultation Language Change
- "Tick-Borne Disease Working Group" reference struck
- Replaced with "appropriate individuals"
- Broadens the pool CDC must consult in developing the national strategy
- Strategy Scope Clarified
- National strategy must address increasing capacity to identify, report, prevent, and respond to vector-borne diseases
- Language inserted into the existing "activities of the Centers" list
Last updated July 23, 2026