State Strategic Stockpile Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1980

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-06-16T11:33:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The State Strategic Stockpile Act of 2025 aims to extend and enhance a pilot program that helps states build and maintain their own stockpiles of medical supplies, such as drugs and vaccines, for public health emergencies like pandemics or disasters. This program is run by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The goal is to improve readiness at the state and regional levels through fiscal year (FY) 2030.

Key Provisions

• Extension of the Pilot Program: Authorizes funding and activities for states or groups of states (consortia) to develop medical stockpiles, extending the program through FY 2025 for initial phases and up to FY 2030 overall.
• Sharing Best Practices: Requires funded states or consortia to share effective strategies for establishing and maintaining stockpiles, promoting collaboration among participants.
• Coordination Requirements: Award recipients must work with local health care providers, public health officials, and emergency management teams in their areas to ensure effective implementation.
• Updated Reporting: Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the program's impact, including any regional stockpiling efforts, as part of a broader assessment under the PREVENT Pandemics Act.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 319F-2(i) of the Public Health Service Act (which governs the Strategic National Stockpile) and Section 2409(b) of the PREVENT Pandemics Act:

• Date Extensions: Pushes back expiration dates—for example, changing the end of certain activities from FY 2024 to FY 2025 and planning periods from FY 2025 to FY 2026—while fully reauthorizing the program through FY 2030 (previously limited to FY 2023-2024).
• New Focus on Regional Efforts: Adds language to support "regional efforts" alongside state-level ones, and introduces a requirement for sharing best practices among consortia of states.
• Added Coordination Mandate: Inserts a new provision requiring collaboration with local health and emergency entities, which was not explicitly required before.
• Expanded GAO Review: Includes analysis of regional stockpiling approaches in the GAO's required report on pandemic preparedness, building on prior evaluations.

These changes build on the existing pilot by emphasizing collaboration and long-term sustainability without altering the core federal stockpile.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS's ASPR will continue administering grants, potentially leading to more efficient use of federal funds through state-level stockpiles that supplement the national one. The GAO's expanded report could inform future policy adjustments.
• On Citizens: Improves access to medical supplies during emergencies by enabling faster, localized responses, reducing reliance on federal shipments and potentially saving lives in outbreaks or disasters.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. domestic preparedness could indirectly strengthen global health security efforts, such as through better coordination in international pandemics.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• States and Regional Consortia: Primary recipients of funding; they gain resources and support for building stockpiles but must meet new coordination and sharing requirements.
• Federal Agencies: HHS (especially ASPR) oversees the program; GAO conducts evaluations.
• Health and Emergency Officials: Local providers, public health departments, and emergency managers must collaborate, potentially increasing their workload but improving response capabilities.
• General Public: Benefits from stronger emergency preparedness, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the framework under the Public Health Service Act for decentralized emergency preparedness, ensuring compliance with federal grant conditions without creating new enforcement mechanisms. No challenges to existing authorities are introduced.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate public health and welfare under the Commerce Clause; promotes federalism by empowering states while maintaining federal oversight.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for health security post-COVID-19. It could influence future budgets by locking in funding through 2030, potentially facing debates over costs amid competing priorities, but avoids controversial mandates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• State Strategic Stockpile Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (3 pages)