Governor Greg Abbott held a ceremonial bill signing for three new pieces of legislation aimed at improving public health in Texas. The event, which took place with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., highlighted the bipartisan effort behind Senate Bill 25, Senate Bill 314, and Senate Bill 379.
“Every legislator in Texas wants to see Texas be put on a pathway to be healthier,” said Governor Abbott. “These bills that I am signing today put Texas on that pathway. Taxpayer dollars will no longer be used to fund chronic health problems in our state. These bills were truly a bipartisan effort, and I am proud to sign them into effect.”
Secretary Kennedy praised the state’s approach: “Thank you, Governor Abbott, for your leadership in uniting Texans to confront chronic disease,” he said. “I also commend the state’s legislators for coming together across party lines to pass these bipartisan bills. Texas has chosen a bold new course for public health—one I urge other states to follow.”
The signing was attended by several officials including Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Senator Bryan Hughes, Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Senator Mayes Middleton, Representative Stan Gerdes, Representative Caroline Harris-Davila, Representative Lacey Hull, and additional members of both legislative chambers.
Senate Bill 25 introduces nutrition education into K-12 schools as well as higher education institutions and the healthcare workforce. It also mandates clearer food labeling for consumers.
Senate Bill 314 restricts schools from providing foods containing certain additives as part of their free or reduced-price meal programs.
Senate Bill 379 bars the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for buying sweetened drinks and candy.
Photos from the event are expected to be made available at a later date.
