LymeX Authorization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7482
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-14T08:05:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The LymeX Authorization Act (H.R. 7482) aims to promote innovation in addressing Lyme disease—a bacterial infection spread by ticks—by authorizing federal funding for prize competitions. These competitions incentivize the development of new tools and approaches for preventing, diagnosing, and treating the disease, with a focus on patient needs.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "LymeX Authorization Act."
- Policy Statement: The U.S. policy outlined includes:
- Engaging diverse groups such as universities (academia), nonprofit organizations, businesses (including small ones), entrepreneurs, and government agencies to create patient-centered solutions for Lyme disease care.
- Promoting advancements in public education and awareness programs specifically for Lyme disease patients.
- Speeding up the creation of advanced diagnostic tools that are quick to use and tailored to patients.
- Funding Authorization: Allocates up to $5,000,000 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to run "prize competitions." These are contests where participants compete for cash prizes to solve specific problems, as defined under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (a law that allows federal agencies to use prizes to spur technological progress). The funds target innovations in Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, targeted authorization for HHS to use prize competitions specifically for Lyme disease, building on the existing framework of the Stevenson-Wydler Act. It does not amend prior laws but adds a dedicated funding stream ($5 million) for this purpose, which was not previously specified for Lyme disease research or innovation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS gains authority and resources to administer prize competitions, potentially streamlining innovation efforts without traditional grant processes. This could encourage collaboration across federal health programs.
- On Citizens: Patients with Lyme disease may benefit from faster access to improved diagnostics, treatments, and prevention methods, as well as better public awareness. It could reduce the burden of a disease that affects thousands annually, particularly in tick-prone areas like the Northeast and Midwest U.S.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts are mentioned, though innovations could indirectly support global health efforts if shared internationally.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Lyme Disease Patients and Communities: Primary beneficiaries through potential improvements in care and awareness.
- Innovators and Organizations: Includes academia, nonprofits, industry leaders, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who can participate in competitions to develop solutions.
- Government: HHS as the lead agency; broader federal health entities may collaborate.
- Healthcare Providers: Could see enhanced tools for diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on established federal authority under the Stevenson-Wydler Act for prize competitions, ensuring compliance with procurement and innovation laws. The $5 million authorization is non-binding (it "authorizes" funds but requires separate appropriations), avoiding mandatory spending issues.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports the federal government's role in public health under the Commerce Clause (which allows regulation of interstate health matters).
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Rep. Smith of New Jersey and Rep. Doggett of Texas) highlights cross-party interest in tick-borne diseases. It promotes a collaborative, incentive-based approach to health innovation, potentially setting a model for addressing other underfunded diseases without expanding regulatory oversight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- LymeX Authorization Act — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (2 pages)