Governor Greg Abbott has signed three pieces of legislation aimed at improving public health in Texas. The new laws—Senate Bill 25, Senate Bill 314, and Senate Bill 379—were ceremonially enacted alongside U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“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.”
“Thank you, Governor Abbott, for your leadership in uniting Texans to confront chronic disease,” said Secretary Kennedy. “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 event included 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 other members of the legislature.
Senate Bill 25 requires nutrition education across K-12 schools and higher education institutions as well as among healthcare workers in Texas. It also calls for improved transparency on food labels for consumers.
Senate Bill 314 prohibits schools from including foods with certain additives in free or reduced-price meal programs.
Senate Bill 379 restricts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to buy sweetened drinks and candy.
Additional photos from the ceremony are expected to be released at a later date.
