Us Congress House Bill HB6765

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/13/23
• Refer: 12/13/23
• Refer: 12/15/23
• Refer: 8/29/24

Caption

Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act

Impact

If enacted, HB 6765 would significantly enhance the government's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to wildlife diseases that could threaten both wildlife populations and public health. By authorizing funding for state and tribal wildlife disease surveillance efforts, the bill ensures that local entities can develop tailored wildlife health action plans. The allocation of at least $15,500,000 to states and $3,000,000 to tribal governments annually will bolster their capacity to manage and respond to wildlife disease threats.

Summary

House Bill 6765, titled the 'Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act', aims to establish a coordinated framework for wildlife disease surveillance across state, tribal, and local governments. This legislation is set against the backdrop of increasing concerns over wildlife diseases and their potential to trigger pandemics. The bill mandates the creation of a National Wildlife Disease Database and provides the necessary structure for a comprehensive surveillance system to monitor and respond to outbreaks effectively.

Contention

The bill creates an interagency working group that is responsible for coordinating wildlife health initiatives, which includes representation from various relevant agencies like the CDC, USDA, and NOAA. Potential contention may arise surrounding the dynamics of federal versus local authority in managing wildlife health and the allocation of funding. As state and tribal resources may vary significantly, ensuring equitable access to the funds and addressing the needs of all regions will be critical in the implementation of this bill.