Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2020
This bill makes changes to the administration and management of the Strategic National Stockpile.
Among these changes, the bill authorizes through September 30, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transfer supplies from the stockpile to any federal departments or agencies under certain conditions. HHS must also ensure the contents of the stockpile remain in working order and may enter into maintenance service contracts to carry out this requirement.
Furthermore, as part of its management of the stockpile, HHS must establish and maintain domestic reserves of certain supplies, including through purchases, leases, or joint ventures to access facilities and equipment to produce these supplies. The authority for such purchases, leases, or joint ventures terminates on September 30, 2023.
Additionally, the bill temporarily authorizes HHS to award grants to states for maintaining stockpiles of certain equipment and supplies for use during public health emergencies.
HHS must also develop transparent processes for the use and distribution of supplies from the stockpile that address, for example, the prioritization of requests. Additionally, during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response must report monthly on requests for supplies from states, tribes, and other jurisdictions. These reports must include the rationale for any partially fulfilled or denied requests.
Lastly, the Government Accountability Office must study the feasibility of establishing user fees to offset costs for procuring single-source materials for, and distributing such materials from, the stockpile.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-22 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | Senate |
| 2020-09-21 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-21 | Floor | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4618-4620) | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-21 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7574. | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-21 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4618-4620) | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-21 | Floor | Mrs. Dingell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-18 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 418. | House floor actions |
| 2020-09-18 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-518. | House floor actions |
| 2020-07-15 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2020-07-15 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2020-07-13 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. | House floor actions |
| 2020-07-13 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |