Committee advances bill requiring annual analysis and list of high‑incidence regions for valley fever
Summary
SB 297 would require the California Department of Public Health to analyze and publish regions with high valley fever incidence and to improve clinical awareness and testing; the Assembly Health Committee voted to send the bill to the judiciary committee after debate on local mandates and laboratory capacity.
The Assembly Health Committee voted to refer SB 297 to the Judiciary Committee after testimony that the fungal disease valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is expanding geographically and is frequently underdiagnosed.
Senator Hurtado, the bill’s author, said the Central Valley has long borne the brunt of valley fever but that cases are increasing in other areas including the Central Coast and farther north. She asked the committee to authorize an annual CDPH analysis to identify high‑incidence regions and publish a list to guide clinicians and public health outreach. “Many of them go undiagnosed, untreated,” Hurtado said, describing impacts on outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.
Dr. George Thompson of UC Davis, director of the UC Davis Center for Valley Fever, told the committee delayed diagnosis is common and that earlier testing could reduce severe illness. He described a readily available blood screening algorithm and explained that in some regions “if you have pneumonia, there's a one in four chance it's valley fever,” underlining that testing protocols and physician education could speed diagnosis.
Supporters included St. Agnes Medical Center. The County Health Executives Association of California and other local health jurisdictions registered as “opposed unless amended,” citing a new mandate for local public health agencies; the California Medical Association moved to a neutral position after reviewing amendments. Committee discussion centered on lab capacity, clinical workflow, and whether testing would be performed reflexively for patients with respiratory symptoms.
Assemblymember Addis moved the bill; the committee recorded a roll call and referred SB 297 to the Judiciary Committee. The author said she would continue to work with local health jurisdictions and stakeholders on implementation details.
The measure moves to the Assembly Judiciary Committee for further consideration and any additional amendments.
