To establish a grant program for preparing and responding to New World screwworm outbreaks, and for other purposes.

Bill at a glance

• Bill: HR 9377
• Session: 119
• Jurisdiction: United States
• Title: To establish a grant program for preparing and responding to New World screwworm outbreaks, and for other purposes
• Introduced: June 18, 2026
• Referred to: House Committee on Agriculture
• Primary aim: Establish and fund a grant program to strengthen preparedness, prevention, and response to New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) outbreaks in the United States and potentially neighboring regions.

What the bill would do

• Create a dedicated grant program to support activities related to New World screwworm outbreaks.
• Provide federal funding and administrative authority to states, tribes, municipalities, and eligible organizations to:
  • Prevent screwworm introductions and establishments.
  • Detect and confirm outbreaks rapidly.
  • Respond effectively to eradicate or control outbreaks.
  • Support surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and rapid response measures.
• Fund activities including surveillance systems, veterinary/public health coordination, training, public education, and outbreak response planning.
• Support partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private sector and non-governmental organizations involved in animal health, agriculture, and wildlife health.

Key provisions and mechanisms (as indicated by typical grant programs of this type)

• Grant eligibility: States, political subdivisions, federally recognized tribes, universities, extension services, veterinary schools, non-profit organizations, and private entities involved in animal and agricultural health.
• Funding scope: Federal funds allocated to cover activities related to prevention, detection, response, and recovery from New World screwworm outbreaks.
• Use of funds:
  • Enhancing surveillance networks (e.g., trap deployment, reporting systems).
  • Diagnostic laboratory capacity and confirmatory testing.
  • Workforce training for veterinarians, livestock producers, and public health workers.
  • Outbreak response planning and rapid deployment of eradication tools and personnel.
  • Public communications and education to minimize spread and economic impact.
• Cooperation and coordination: Emphasis on collaboration among USDA agencies, state animal health officials, public health authorities, and international partners if relevant to prevention and containment.
• Reporting and accountability: Likely requirements for progress reporting, performance metrics, and audits to ensure funds are used to achieve outbreak prevention and response objectives.

Who/what would be affected

• Primary beneficiaries: State and local governments, tribal authorities, universities and extension programs, veterinary and public health organizations, and industry groups involved in livestock, wildlife, and agricultural production.
• Sectors affected: Livestock producers (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.), equine industries, wildlife management programs, veterinary diagnostic labs, extension services, and public health entities.
• Potential indirect effects: Strengthened biosecurity and animal health infrastructure, improved rapid response capabilities to non-native pests, reduced risk of economic losses from screwworm outbreaks, and enhanced consumer confidence in animal-derived products.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• Introduction and referral: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Agriculture on June 18, 2026.
• Next steps: Committee consideration, potential markup, and floor debate. If advanced, appropriations or authorization language would define funding levels and grant administration details.
• Oversight considerations: Typically includes reporting requirements to Congress on grant allocations, outbreak preparedness activities, and measurable outcomes.

Potential impact highlights

• Proactive funding for surveillance, rapid diagnosis, and eradication efforts could reduce the risk and impact of New World screwworm outbreaks in the U.S.
• Strengthened collaboration between federal, state, tribal, and private stakeholders could lead to faster detection and containment.
• Financial support for capacity-building may improve long-term resilience of animal health systems and reduce economic losses in the agricultural sector.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and typical features of grant-based outbreak preparedness programs. For precise text, funding amounts, and specific compliance requirements, the official bill language and amended provisions should be consulted once available.