BITE Act

Bill Number: H.R. 4980
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-08-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-05-13T08:06:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4980 (BITE Act)

Purpose

This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a comprehensive national system aimed at preventing vector-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.

Key Provisions

Establishment of the System: The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create and sustain a national vector-borne disease prevention system.
Vector Identification Service: This component provides information on ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas as disease vectors; it is accessible to the public and the Department of Defense; and it integrates human, animal, and environmental data using a "One Health" approach.
AI-Enhanced Early Warning System: The system uses weather, habitat, and wildlife data to predict disease activity and issues real-time, location-based risk alerts.
Insurance Claims Surveillance: It monitors claims from private and public health insurance to detect outbreaks earlier than traditional methods.
Syndromic Surveillance: This tracks emergency room visits at civilian hospitals and military medical facilities for symptoms of vector-borne diseases.
Public Education: The system delivers targeted prevention messages through schools, workplaces, media, and community organizations.
National Strategic Alignment: It supports a goal of reducing Lyme disease by 25 percent by 2035 and improves military readiness via early detection and ecosystem health monitoring.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill introduces no explicit amendments to prior statutes. Instead, it creates a new federal program under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate and expand prevention efforts for vector-borne diseases.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services gains responsibility for system implementation and maintenance, while the Department of Defense receives access to identification services and benefits from enhanced surveillance at military facilities.
Citizens: The public gains access to real-time alerts, educational resources, and improved outbreak detection through insurance and emergency room monitoring.
Military: Early detection measures may support operational readiness.
No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense.
Public health entities involved in surveillance and education.
Civilians, schools, workplaces, media outlets, and community organizations.
Military personnel and facilities.
Insurance providers and healthcare systems participating in claims monitoring.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The legislation focuses on public health coordination without addressing constitutional issues, such as federal authority over state health matters, or political considerations. It emphasizes data integration across sectors but does not specify enforcement mechanisms or funding sources.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

Recent Actions

2025-08-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2025-08-15: Introduced in House
2025-08-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure Act — issued 2025-08-15 — PDF (3 pages)