AUSTIN, TX — Governor Greg Abbott ceremonially signed Texas' "Make America Healthy Again" legislation - Senate Bill 25, Senate Bill 314, and Senate Bill 379 - into law alongside U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Senate Bill 25 (Kolkhorst/Hull) known as the Make Texas Healthy Again Act, promotes healthier living for all Texans by embedding nutrition education across k-12 schools, higher education, and the healthcare workforce. Additionally, it requires stronger food label transparency for consumers.
Senate Bill 314 (Hughes/Harris-Davila) prohibits schools from serving foods with certain additives as a part of free or reduced-price meals.
Senate Bill 379 (Middleton/Gerdes) prohibits individuals from using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase sweetened drinks and candy.
"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 Governor was joined by Secretary Kennedy, 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 the Texas Senate and House of Representatives.
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