Flight 293 Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1030
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-01T21:17:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Flight 293 Remembrance Act" (H.R. 1030) aims to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who died in non-combat military plane crashes by creating a public database of these individuals and enhancing support services for their families. It focuses on crashes classified as "Operational Loss/Non-War Loss" to ensure families receive comprehensive assistance with benefits and resources.
Key Provisions
- Identification and Database Development: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense (SecDef), in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (SecVA), must review Department of Defense (DoD) records from 1984 onward and gather data from other sources for earlier incidents. This will result in a publicly accessible online database listing the names, ranks, and service details of those who died in such crashes.
- Family Assistance Programs: SecDef, with SecVA input, must help families access DoD benefits, including financial aid, counseling, and survivor benefits specific to non-combat losses. This includes personalized guidance on applications and connections to peer support networks for sharing experiences.
- Designated Point of Contact: DoD must appoint a specific contact person to guide families through benefits, provide updates on new programs or legal changes affecting eligibility, and coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local organizations for streamlined support. This contact will also track efforts to recover remains from these crashes.
- Consultations and Reporting: SecDef may consult external organizations with expertise in these crashes. Within two years of enactment, SecDef must submit a report to Congress detailing the number of families assisted, database progress (including completion percentage), program effectiveness, family satisfaction, and recommendations for improvements.
- Nondiscrimination Requirements: Programs under this act must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws (e.g., prohibiting bias based on disability, sex, race, color, or national origin). SecDef and SecVA must issue regulations to enforce these, treating the assistance programs as federally funded even if run directly by DoD or VA.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces entirely new requirements, as it creates a dedicated database and structured support framework for non-combat plane crash families—areas not previously mandated by law. It builds on existing DoD and VA benefits but adds specific obligations for identification, outreach, and coordination tailored to these incidents. The nondiscrimination clause extends existing civil rights laws (like the Rehabilitation Act and Civil Rights Act) to these new programs, which were not previously categorized this way.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DoD and VA will face new administrative burdens, including record reviews, database maintenance, staff training for the point of contact, and regulatory development. This could require additional funding and inter-agency collaboration, potentially improving overall efficiency in handling non-combat loss cases.
- On Citizens: Families of affected service members will gain easier access to benefits, emotional support, and information, reducing barriers to aid and fostering community connections. The public database promotes transparency and remembrance, benefiting historians, researchers, and the broader public interested in military history.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. military records and support without referencing foreign entities or alliances.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families of Deceased Service Members: Primary beneficiaries, receiving targeted assistance and resources for non-combat losses.
- Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, including database creation, family outreach, and reporting.
- Congress: Receives oversight reports and recommendations, influencing future funding or policy adjustments.
- Support Organizations and Experts: Non-profits or groups with knowledge of military crashes, consulted for input and potentially involved in family networks.
- Broader Public: Gains access to the database for educational or commemorative purposes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill strengthens enforcement of anti-discrimination laws by explicitly applying them to these support programs, ensuring equal access regardless of protected characteristics. It may set a precedent for similar databases or support mandates in other non-combat military contexts, potentially leading to litigation if implementation falls short (e.g., on database accuracy or family outreach).
- Constitutional Implications: None directly evident; the bill aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to regulate the military and provide for veterans' benefits, without infringing on individual rights.
- Political Implications: As a remembrance act named after "Flight 293" (likely referencing a specific historical incident), it carries symbolic weight for honoring military sacrifices outside of war, potentially garnering bipartisan support in veterans' affairs committees. The required congressional report could influence future defense budgets or policy expansions, highlighting gaps in non-combat loss support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Flight 293 Remembrance Act — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (6 pages)