HR2257-119

What This Bill Does

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act provisions in this slice govern coin design, surcharges, and financial assurances. Coin designs must be emblematic of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the service and sacrifice of firefighters throughout U.S. history, include denomination, 2026, and standard inscriptions, be selected by Treasury after consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and be reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. Sales must include surcharges of $35 for each $5 coin, $10 for each $1 coin, and $5 for each half-dollar coin. Treasury must promptly pay received surcharges to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission and programs, subject to statutory audit requirements and the annual two commemorative coin program limit. Treasury must ensure minting and issuing the coins has no net federal cost and must recover all design, labor, materials, dies, machinery, overhead, marketing, and shipping costs before disbursing surcharge funds.

Who Benefits and How

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation benefits from surcharge revenue to support its mission and programs after Treasury recovers costs. Families of fallen firefighters benefit from commemorative coin designs centered on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Commemorative coin collectors benefit from 2026 coins carrying firefighter memorial designs and standard legal inscriptions. Firefighter memorial programs benefit from national visibility and potential surcharge funding.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Treasury minting staff must design, market, mint, and issue the coins while ensuring no net cost to the federal government. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation must comply with audit requirements for surcharge amounts received. Commission of Fine Arts reviewers and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee members must review or advise on coin designs. Coin purchasers pay surcharges of $35, $10, or $5 depending on the coin type.

Key Provisions

• Requires coin designs emblematic of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and firefighter service.
• Directs Treasury to consult the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and obtain Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee review.
• Requires surcharges of $35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, and $5 for half-dollar coins.
• Provides surcharge proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation subject to audit rules and annual coin program limits.
• Requires Treasury to recover all design and issuance costs before disbursing surcharges and to avoid net federal cost.