S. 2398: Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act
Sponsor
Susan Collins
Republican · ME
Keep tick disease tracking running through 2030
Why it matters
Five more years — that's what S. 2398 gives federal tick- and vector-borne disease programs that would otherwise age out after 2025. If you live where Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses are a growing concern, this bill keeps the national strategy, research hubs, and health department support in place through 2030.
S. 2398 keeps federal tick- and vector-borne disease programs from expiring after 2025 by extending them through 2030.
One part of the bill continues the national vector-borne disease strategy and the regional centers of excellence that support research and coordination. Another part continues enhanced federal support for state, local, and tribal health departments dealing with these diseases.
That means the bill is mainly about continuity, not a brand-new program. If Congress passes it, the same core federal framework for tracking, planning, and responding to tick-borne disease stays in place for five more years.
The bill also makes one substantive process change: instead of specifically naming the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group in the consultation language, it tells the Health and Human Services secretary to work with "appropriate individuals." That gives the department more flexibility, but it also removes one named body from the statute.
It makes another wording change by saying the secretary acts "through" federal agencies rather than "in coordination with" them. That does not create a new benefit for patients on its own, but it may clarify which agencies are directly responsible for carrying out the strategy.
What you would notice most is not a new program or new check — it's that federal disease surveillance and support do not hit a legal stop after 2025.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Aug 10, 2026
Passed the Senate, received in House
S. 2398 Bill Summary
What S. 2398 actually does.
National tick disease strategy keeps going
S. 2398 extends the federal national strategy for vector-borne diseases through 2030 instead of letting the current authorization end after 2025.
Regional research hubs stay in place
The bill keeps the regional centers of excellence on vector-borne diseases authorized for another five years, preserving the federal structure for research and coordination.
Health departments keep federal support
State, local, and tribal health departments would remain eligible for enhanced federal support on vector-borne disease work through 2030.
Named tick working group is removed from the law
The bill drops the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group from the consultation language and replaces it with a broader requirement to consult "appropriate individuals."
HHS gets clearer implementation language
S. 2398 changes how the Health and Human Services secretary carries out the strategy, saying the department acts through federal agencies rather than in coordination with them.
Who benefits from S. 2398?
Communities in tick-prone areas
People in places where tick-borne illness is a recurring health risk would benefit from uninterrupted federal surveillance, planning, and response work through 2030.
State, local, and tribal health departments
These agencies keep the federal authorization behind their vector-borne disease support for five more years instead of facing a 2025 cutoff.
Researchers and public health labs
The regional centers of excellence and national strategy framework stay in place through 2030, giving ongoing research and coordination efforts more continuity.
Patients who rely on early detection and response
You would not get a direct payment or benefit card, but you could benefit if continued surveillance helps spot outbreaks, improve reporting, or guide faster local response.
Who is affected by S. 2398?
The Health and Human Services Department
HHS would keep running these programs through 2030 and would follow revised language on how it consults experts and works through federal agencies.
The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group
This group would no longer be explicitly named in the statute's consultation requirement, even though the department could still consult relevant experts.
Federal agencies involved in vector-borne disease work
Agencies helping carry out the national strategy would continue under the reauthorized framework through 2030.
Taxpayers and budget writers
S. 2398 extends existing authorities but does not name a new dollar amount in the bill text provided, so future appropriations decisions would still shape the programs' actual funding level.
S2398 Legislative Journey
House: Action Taken
Aug 10, 2026
Held at the desk.
Passed 4494-4495
Aug 6, 2026
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4494-4495; text: CR S4494-4495)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Sep 8, 2025
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Passed Committee
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Jul 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
About the Sponsor
Susan Collins
Republican, ME · 29 years in Congress
Committees: Appropriations, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
View full profile →
Cosponsors (23)
This bill has 23 cosponsors: 15 Democrats, 7 Republicans, 1 Independent, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 18 states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, and 15 more.
Tina Smith
Democrat · MN
Angus King
Independent · ME
Kirsten Gillibrand
Democrat · NY
Amy Klobuchar
Democrat · MN
Josh Hawley
Republican · MO
Charles Schumer
Democrat · NY
Jeanne Shaheen
Democrat · NH
Roger Marshall
Republican · KS
Maggie Hassan
Democrat · NH
David McCormick
Republican · PA
Shelley Capito
Republican · WV
Jim Banks
Republican · IN
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
6 of 23 committee members cosponsored
9 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 2398 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 2822(c) of Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-32(c))
striking ``2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``2026 through 2030''
S. 2398 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Jul 23, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Aug 10, 2026
Official Sources
The official Congress.gov page is the primary source for the bill’s text, status, sponsors, and actions.
This official HHS advisory page is relevant because the bill removes the working group’s explicit mention from the consultation language.
This U.S. Code section contains the Public Health Service Act provision on the national strategy and regional centers of excellence that the bill reauthorizes.
This U.S. Code section covers enhanced support for state, local, and tribal health departments addressing vector-borne diseases.
Lyme disease is one of the most prominent tick-borne illnesses affected by continued federal surveillance and education efforts under this bill.
S. 2398 Common Questions
What does S. 2398 actually do?
It reauthorizes federal tick- and vector-borne disease programs for 5 more years, moving them from a 2021-2025 window to 2026-2030.
Does S. 2398 create a new tick disease program?
No. S. 2398 mainly keeps existing federal programs running through 2030 instead of creating a brand-new program.
Will state and local health departments still get support under S. 2398?
Yes. The bill extends enhanced support for state, local, and tribal health departments dealing with vector-borne diseases through 2030.
Do the regional centers of excellence continue after 2025?
Yes. S. 2398 keeps the national strategy and regional centers of excellence for vector-borne diseases authorized through 2030.
Does S. 2398 remove the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group?
Not entirely. The bill removes the group's explicit mention from the consultation language, replacing it with a broader reference to "appropriate individuals."
Is there new money in S. 2398?
The bill text provided does not list a new dollar amount. It extends the legal authority for existing programs, but annual funding would still depend on appropriations.
Who benefits if S. 2398 passes?
People in areas facing tick-borne disease risk, plus the health departments and research centers that track, study, and respond to those illnesses.
Based on S. 2398 bill text
S. 2398 Bill Text
“To reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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