Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Representative Christopher H. Smith

Re: HR 4348 (119th Congress), To reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes. · Latest action (2026-07-21): Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 463.
VFA SI Solution #188 · published 2026-07-22 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/188
Office of record (Congress.gov): 2373 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC · (202) 225-3765

Tick-Borne Disease Prevention and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025

The measure, as described from the official record: To continue federal support for research, surveillance, prevention, and education programs aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of tick-borne diseases in the United States.

The proposal

This Act reauthorizes the Kay Hagan Tick Act through fiscal year 2030. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall administer a competitive grant program for states, tribes, and territories to fund tick-borne disease surveillance, public education, diagnostic improvement, and research into prevention and treatment. Grants may be used for vector control, community outreach, and workforce training. No federal funds may be used for any activity that restricts lawful hunting, trapping, or pesticide use beyond existing federal or state law. Each grant recipient must provide a 25% non-federal match, which may include in-kind contributions. The Secretary shall establish a Tick-Borne Disease Advisory Committee comprising representatives from affected states, academic researchers, private industry, and patient advocacy groups. The Committee shall report annually on program effectiveness, emerging threats, and recommendations for best practices. Total appropriations for this Act are capped at $100 million over five fiscal years, to be drawn from the Prevention and Public Health Fund established under section 4002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. No funds may be used for any activity not directly related to tick-borne diseases. The authority to make grants expires on September 30, 2030, and any unobligated balances shall revert to the Treasury. Enforcement: The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall audit grant recipients for compliance with matching requirements, allowable uses, and reporting. Any recipient found to have misused funds shall be required to repay the full amount plus interest and shall be ineligible for future grants under this Act for five years. Effective date: October 1, 2025.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source
Prevention and Public Health Fund (established under ACA section 4002)
funding amount
$100 million total over 5 fiscal years ($20 million per year)
sunset years
5 years
oversight body
Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, with advice from the Tick-Borne Disease Advisory Committee
enforcement mechanism
Audits by HHS Inspector General; repayment plus interest and five-year debarment for misuse; annual reporting to Congress
effective date
October 1, 2025

Constitutional basis

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Democratic priorities: sustained federal funding for public health research and prevention, emphasis on underserved communities, transparent oversight. Republican priorities: limited federal role (state block grants with matching requirement), sunset clause to prevent permanent programs, prohibition on new restrictions on private property use (hunting, pesticide use), and reliance on existing fund rather than new taxes.

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/188 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology