I
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2006
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2021
Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself and Mr. O'Halleran) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States to expand or maintain a strategic stockpile of products deemed to be essential in the event of a public health emergency, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the State Stockpile Readiness Act of 2021
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Grants for State strategic stockpiles
Title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 319F–4 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6e) the following new section:
Grants for State strategic stockpiles
In general
The Secretary may establish a pilot program consisting of awarding grants to States to expand or maintain a strategic stockpile of commercially available drugs, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and other products deemed by the State to be essential in the event of a public health emergency.
Allowable use of funds
Uses
A State receiving a grant under this section may use the grant funds to—
acquire commercially available products listed pursuant to paragraph (2) for inclusion in the State’s strategic stockpile;
store, maintain, and distribute products in such stockpile; and
conduct planning in connection with such activities.
List
The Secretary shall develop and publish a list of the products that are eligible, as described in subsection (a), for inclusion in a State’s strategic stockpile using funds received under this section.
Consultation
In developing the list under paragraph (2) and otherwise determining the allowable uses of grant funds under this section, the Secretary shall consult with States and relevant stakeholders, including public health organizations.
Funding requirement
The Secretary may not obligate or expend any funds to award grants or fund any previously awarded grants under this section for a fiscal year unless the total amount made available to carry out section 319F–2 for such fiscal year is equal to or greater than the total amount of funds made available to carry out section 319F–2 for fiscal year 2021.
Matching funds
In general
With respect to the costs of expanding and maintaining a strategic stockpile through a grant under this section, as a condition on receipt of the grant, a State shall make available (directly) non-Federal contributions in cash toward such costs in an amount that is equal to not less than the amount of Federal funds provided through the grant.
Waiver
The Secretary may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to a State for the first two years of the State receiving a grant under this section if the Secretary determines that such waiver is needed for the State to establish a strategic stockpile described in subsection (a).
Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States in establishing, expanding, and maintaining a stockpile described in subsection (a).
Definition
In this section, the term drug has the meaning given to that term in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Authorization of appropriations
To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $3,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024, to remain available until expended.
Sunset
The authority vested by this section terminates at the end of fiscal year 2024.
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