; (2) an assessment of the potential public health impact of implementing electronic case reporting and interoperable public health data systems; and (3) a description of the activities carried out pursuant to this section. (f) Electronic case reporting In this section, the term electronic case reporting means the automated identification, generation, and bilateral exchange of reports of health events among electronic health record or health information technology systems and public health authorities. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $450,000,000 to remain available until expended. . 549. Pilot program to improve laboratory infrastructure (a) In general The Secretary shall award grants to States and political subdivisions of States to support the improvement, renovation, or modernization of infrastructure at clinical laboratories (as defined in section 353 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 263a )) that will help to improve SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19 testing and response activities, including the expansion and enhancement of testing capacity at such laboratories. (b) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 to remain available until expended. 550. Core public health infrastructure for State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments (a) Program The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish a core public health infrastructure program consisting of awarding grants under subsection (b). (b) Grants (1) Award For the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs, the Secretary— (A) shall award a grant to each State health department