Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB379

Introduced
1/17/23  
Refer
1/17/23  

Caption

Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2023 This bill provides a framework to compensate certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the use of such island for military readiness. The bill sets forth provisions regarding award amounts for individuals and for claims by the municipality of Vieques. An individual claimant shall be awarded monetary compensation if the claimant contracted a chronic, life threatening, or physical or mental disease or illness, during or after the government used the island for military readiness.

Impact

One of the main provisions of HB379 is the establishment of a compensation system administered by a Special Master. Eligible claimants may receive varying amounts based on the number of diseases they contracted, with awards starting at $50,000 for one illness and escalating for multiple conditions. This approach aims to address the humanitarian crisis on Vieques, where residents have long struggled with inadequate medical support and services, exacerbated by the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, which destroyed existing healthcare facilities.

Summary

House Bill 379, also known as the Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2023, aims to provide compensation to certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. This bill comes in response to the health impacts suffered by residents over decades due to military activities on the island, which have led to high levels of heavy metals and other toxins. The legislation outlines a framework for individual claims, allowing residents who have suffered illnesses linked to the military's use of the island to seek financial restitution.

Contention

The bill reflects a significant shift in acknowledging the rights and suffering of Vieques residents, who had previously faced barriers to legal remedy due to sovereign immunity. While the intent is to provide much-needed relief, there may be ongoing debates regarding the adequacy of the proposed compensation amounts and the effectiveness of the measures put in place to improve healthcare access on the island. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the environmental cleanup, as the bill also posits the appointment of an academic partner to address long-term pollution, which may involve significant logistical and environmental challenges.

Companion Bills

US SB1386

Related bill Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

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