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HJR 198

General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Annie Dockery, Standards Recommendation Committee for English Language Arts -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by William Lamberth

Designates the last Tuesday in April as AMKD Awareness Day to raise awareness, promote genetic testing for APOL1 risk, and encourage research and prevention.

H. subst. & concurred in SJR 119
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Bill Summary · HJR 198

Summary: HJR 198 — APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease Awareness Day

Status: Enacted (April 22, 2025)
Introduced by: Rep. Datcher (filed March 13, 2025; first read April 3, 2025)
Classification: Concurrent resolution (awareness)

Purpose / Intent

HJR 198 designates the last Tuesday in April of each year as “APOL1‑Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day” in Alabama. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of APOL1‑related kidney disease, encourage education and genetic testing among at‑risk populations, promote research (including clinical trials) into treatments and cures, and encourage preventative care and healthy behaviors to reduce progression to kidney failure.

Key provisions

  • Official recognition: Declares the last Tuesday of each April as APOL1‑Mediated Kidney Disease Awareness Day in Alabama.
  • Awareness goals: Encourages Alabamians to become informed about AMKD and other kidney diseases.
  • Targeted encouragement: Recommends that people from, or with ancestry from, Western and Central Africa consider genetic testing for APOL1 variants.
  • Education on risk and prevention: Notes that individuals with two APOL1 risk variants have an increased chance (estimated 1 in 5) of developing kidney disease and lists prevention/management steps (regular medical care, healthy diet, medication adherence, exercise, tobacco avoidance).
  • Research emphasis: States that there are currently no approved therapies addressing the underlying cause of APOL1‑mediated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and highlights clinical trials as a pathway for developing treatments.
  • Call for cooperation: Encourages participation of Alabama citizens in research toward effective treatments and a cure.

Data and factual points cited

  • APOL1 variants explain much of the excess kidney disease risk for people with Western/Central African ancestry.
  • Cited disparities: African Americans are ~13% of the U.S. population but account for about 32% of kidney failure and 35% of end‑stage kidney disease; about four times the kidney failure risk compared with White Americans.
  • Estimated 13% of Black Americans carry risk variants in both APOL1 copies.

Who is affected / likely impact

  • Direct legal effect: None — this is a non‑binding, symbolic resolution (does not create programs, mandate testing, or appropriate funds).
  • Practical effects: Raises public and clinical awareness; may increase demand for genetic counseling/testing among at‑risk communities; encourages healthcare providers, community groups, and researchers to coordinate outreach and support clinical trial recruitment.
  • Primary populations addressed: Alabamians, especially those of Western and Central African descent, clinicians, researchers, and public health organizations.

Legislative timeline (highlights)

  • Filed: March 13, 2025
  • First read/referred to committee: April 3, 2025
  • Enrolled: April 15, 2025
  • Delivered to Governor: April 17, 2025
  • Enacted: April 22, 2025

Note: As a concurrent resolution recognizing an awareness day, HJR 198 is intended to promote education and research rather than to change law or allocate state funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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