Sergeant Dave Crete FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4675
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T20:55:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation seeks to enhance access to veterans' benefits by establishing presumptions of toxic exposure and service connection for individuals who served at specific contaminated sites, particularly those involving radiation and other hazards.
Key Provisions
- Defines "covered locations" as facilities listed under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 or areas within the Nevada Test and Training Range and Nevada National Security Site after January 27, 1951.
- Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in coordination with the Department of Defense (DoD), to identify affected veterans using personnel records and a new registry, without requiring proof of specific exposure.
- Amends title 38 of the United States Code to classify service at Nevada sites as radiation-risk activities and to create presumptions of toxic exposure for duty at listed facilities or Nevada locations.
- Mandates a study on toxic exposures and health outcomes at these sites, to be conducted with the Department of Health and Human Services or a scientific organization.
- Establishes a voluntary registry for veterans who served at covered locations to support outreach, research, and claims processing.
- Directs the DoD to classify the specified sites as contamination locations, identify affected service members, and share relevant information with the VA.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands sections 1112 and 1119 of title 38, United States Code, to include new presumptions for toxic exposure and radiation-related risks tied to Nevada test sites and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act facilities.
- Introduces a formal identification and registry process that shifts the burden away from veterans to provide affirmative evidence of exposure.
- Adds requirements for interagency coordination and data sharing between the VA, DoD, and other entities.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the VA and DoD in identification, verification, and claims processing; requires resource allocation for the study and registry.
- Citizens: May ease eligibility for health care, disability compensation, and screenings for eligible veterans and their survivors.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans who served at covered locations and their families.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
- The Department of Health and Human Services or designated scientific organizations.
- Congressional committees on veterans' affairs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Creates statutory presumptions that facilitate claims adjudication by reducing evidentiary burdens on veterans.
- Involves interagency data sharing subject to privacy laws.
- May lead to expanded federal benefits expenditures without altering core constitutional authority over veterans' programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-06-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Sergeant Dave Crete Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada Veterans Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (10 pages)