AUSTIN (Nexstar) — “Make America Healthy Again” just got a Texas twist. On Wednesday, the Senate passed two bills with the aim to “Make Texas Healthy Again,” improving health-focused initiatives within the Lone Star State.
The first of these bills, Senate Bill 25 — filed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R – Brenham — requires daily physical activity in public schools, a nutrition curriculum and food labels to warn Texas consumers which ingredients are banned in other countries. The bill passed unanimously 31-0.
“Sixty percent of Americans have chronic diseases, and we’re spending $4.3 million a year—that is five times our military budget,” Kolkhorst told senators. “These are some of the statistics that should make us sit up in our chairs, stand up and say, ‘What is wrong?’”
SB 25 also establishes the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to create nutritional guidelines for Texans and examine links between food additives and chronic health.
The bill’s bipartisan support was apparent as senators on both sides shared personal testimony.
“I can tell you that in San Antonio, you mentioned diabetes in your bill layout, we have some of the highest numbers of diabetes, hypertension, and because of that, we also have some of the highest numbers of per capita chronic renal failure,” said Sen. José Menéndez, D – San Antonio. He added, “It is the most ridiculous thing that is preventable, that’s the worst part about it.”
“When I grew up, it was eggs were bad for you and steak was bad for you, right? So we’re told. So we were taught all these things that were wrong,” said Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston. He added, “So I think that’s one of the most critical components of your bill, is that nutrition education.”
In a statement, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also praised the bill’s passing, naming SB 25 as one of his legislative priorities earlier in the session.
“I named SB 25 as a priority of mine because making Texas healthy again is the perfect way to ensure Texans can capitalize on our bright future,” said Patrick in a statement. “The commonsense reforms included in SB 25 highlight how important nutrition and exercise are in maintaining overall health.”
SB 314, filed by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R – Mineola, also passed in relation to “Make Texas Healthy Again.” The bill bans seven chemicals in food commonly found in reduced-price or free lunch programs at public schools. It passed 30-1 in the Senate.
Both bills will now move to their respective House committees for further voting.
