HR7398-119

What This Bill Does

This bill amends passport-fee law so the State Department may not collect certain passport fees from an individual awarded the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor. It also requires the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Defense Secretary to implement the exemption, including documentation requirements for eligible passport applications and renewals and a mechanism for the relevant Defense Department office to verify documentation by cross-referencing applicants' service records.

Who Benefits and How

Purple Heart recipients and Medal of Honor recipients benefit from reduced passport costs for covered applications or renewals. The State Department benefits from a required Defense Department verification pathway instead of relying only on applicant-submitted documents. Veterans service organizations benefit from a clearer federal benefit they can explain to decorated servicemembers.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The State Department and Consular Affairs must update fee collection, application, and renewal processes. The Defense Department must help establish documentation rules and verify service records. Federal taxpayers absorb the forgone fee revenue and implementation costs.

Key Provisions

• Provides a passport-fee exemption for Purple Heart recipients and Medal of Honor recipients.
• Requires the State Department and Defense Department to enter a memorandum of understanding for eligibility documentation and service-record verification.
• Directs the verification process to cover eligible passport applications and renewals.