Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB766

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Surveilling Effluent Water for Epidemic Response Act or the SEWER ActThis bill provides statutory authority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) program, which detects and monitors pathogens in wastewater. It requires the CDC to expand and intensify the activities of the NWSS, including with respect to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, mpox, dengue, West Nile virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The NWSS provides funding and guidance to public health departments for wastewater surveillance activities. Under the NWSS, health departments and other partners coordinate on wastewater surveillance at sampling sites and share data with the CDC. The NWSS was initially implemented to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and has since expanded to include influenza A, avian influenza A, mpox, and RSV.     

Summary

House Bill 766, known as the Surveilling Effluent Water for Epidemic Response Act (SEWER Act), aims to enhance public health preparedness through a national wastewater surveillance system. The bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and improve monitoring activities focused on detecting infectious pathogens in wastewater. This system is expected to respond effectively to public health emergencies by providing valuable data on the presence of various infectious agents, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. One of the key features of HB766 is the authorization of $150 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. This funding is intended to support the expansion and coordination of wastewater surveillance efforts across federal, state, and local agencies. The allocation is aimed at strengthening the nation’s ability to promptly identify and respond to disease outbreaks, thereby improving overall public health outcomes. Supporters of the bill argue that establishing a national wastewater surveillance system is crucial for early detection of potential health threats, enabling swifter action to curb the spread of diseases. They contend that surveillance of wastewater can serve as an innovative tool in epidemic prevention, allowing for targeted interventions based on data gathered from community sewage systems. Despite its potential benefits, the bill may encounter challenges regarding privacy, resource allocation, and compliance for wastewater utilities. The rule of construction included in the bill clarifies that it does not make it mandatory for wastewater providers to adhere to requests for surveillance data. This provision may lead to debates regarding the balance between public health needs and the operational capabilities of local wastewater facilities. Overall, HB766 represents a significant step towards enhancing disease monitoring capabilities in the context of emerging public health threats.

Congress_id

119-HR-766

Policy_area

Health

Introduced_date

2025-01-28

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB38

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business Program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, to be administered by the Small Business Administration.

US HB138

Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2023 This bill modifies the treatment of certain student loans in bankruptcy. Specifically, it allows private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy regardless of whether a debtor demonstrates undue hardship. Under current law, student loans may be discharged in bankruptcy only if the loans impose an undue hardship on the debtor.

US HB204

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act This bill requires the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and specified public housing programs to subject individuals to substance-abuse screening and to deny benefits for individuals who test positive for a controlled substance.

US HB65

Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act This bill revises requirements related to federal education funding for disadvantaged children. Specifically, the bill (1) eliminates the standards, assessments, and academic accountability requirements for state and local educational agencies that receive federal funds for the education of disadvantaged children; (2) requires such funds to be allocated based on the number of children residing in each state who are living in poverty; and (3) allows educational agencies to distribute per-pupil amounts from such funds to parents for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses. The bill prohibits federal officers or employees from mandating academic standards, assessments, curricula, or accountability systems.

US HB448

Putting Investors First Act of 2023 This bill requires a proxy advisory firm to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and prohibits an unregistered proxy advisory firm from using interstate commerce to provide proxy-voting advice, research, analysis, or recommendations to any client. With respect to these firms, the bill (1) establishes procedures for both registration and termination of registration; (2) requires each firm to employ an ombudsman, designate a compliance officer, and publicly disclose conflicts of interest; (3) allows issuers to assess and comment on proxy voting recommendations; and (4) prohibits unfair, coercive, or abusive practices. The bill establishes a private right of action against a proxy advisory firm that endorses an approved proposal that is not supported by the issuer and is found to be illegal.

US HB245

Breath of Fresh Air Act This bill establishes a grant program for local educational agencies to purchase, and train school personnel to use, nebulizers.

US HB9008

SEWER Act Surveilling Effluent Water for Epidemic Response Act

US SB2237

PREDICT Act Public health Response and Emergency Detection through Integrated wastewater Community Testing Act

US HB3419

Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023

US HB35

Close the Medigap Act of 2023 This bill (1) expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health insurance policies), (2) eliminates certain limitations on Medigap policies for newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, and (3) modifies other provisions related to Medigap policies. (Guaranteed issue rights require that a policy be offered to any eligible applicant without regard to health status.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.