H.R.1682 - Benefits that Endure for Lifetimes Of Service Act; BELO’S Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1682, also known as the BELO'S Act, aims to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. The amendment provides lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to family members of Armed Forces members who died while serving. This includes survivors entitled to a death gratuity under 10 U.S.C. 1475 or dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 13.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to grant free access to national parks and federal recreational lands for eligible family members. This provides a tangible benefit to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one in military service. It also serves as a gesture of gratitude and recognition for their sacrifice.
Potential Benefits
- Provides free access to National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for eligible family members.
- Offers a recreational outlet for grieving families.
- Symbolically recognizes the sacrifices made by fallen service members and their families.
- Potentially encourages more visits to national parks, boosting local economies near these parks.
- Simplifies access to recreational lands by providing a lifetime pass.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential minor increase in administrative costs for managing and issuing the passes.
- Possible overcrowding in popular national parks, although the impact is likely minimal.
- The benefit is limited to a specific group, potentially leading to concerns about fairness from other groups.
- The financial impact on the National Park Service is likely minimal, but could slightly reduce revenue from entrance fees.
- May create a sense of entitlement among beneficiaries, although this is unlikely to be a significant issue.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to provide a benefit to a specific group of citizens who have experienced significant loss due to military service. Specifically, the phrase 'promote the general Welfare' from the preamble could be used to justify the act. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).