“To improve State, local, and Tribal public health security.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section expands eligibility for Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreements to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and consortia of Tribes or Tribal organizations. It increases annual funding to $750 million (from $685 million) for FY2026 through FY2028 and reserves at least 5 percent for Tribal awards. It requires the Secretary to award at least 10 cooperative agreements to Tribal entities in amounts determined after consultation with Tribes, makes such funds available until expended, and eliminates matching requirements for those entities. It authorizes the Secretary to modify program requirements and issue waivers (except for labor or environmental standards) to facilitate Tribal participation, mandates ongoing consultation with Tribes, and requires a report to Congress within two years on implementation, participation, waivers, and recommended changes.