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Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act
12/9/2023, 5:40 PM
Summary of Bill S 1386
The bill outlines a comprehensive plan for the cleanup and redevelopment of Vieques, which has been heavily impacted by decades of military activity, including the use of the island as a bombing range by the US Navy. The legislation calls for the establishment of a task force to oversee the cleanup efforts, as well as the allocation of funding for environmental remediation and infrastructure improvements on the island.
In addition to addressing the environmental issues on Vieques, the bill also aims to support economic development on the island by providing funding for job training programs, small business assistance, and tourism promotion. The legislation recognizes the unique cultural and historical significance of Vieques and seeks to preserve and promote the island's heritage while also creating new opportunities for growth and prosperity. Overall, the Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act represents a bipartisan effort to address the challenges facing the island of Vieques and to support its residents in building a sustainable and vibrant future.
Congressional Summary of S 1386
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act
This bill provides a framework to compensate certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the use of such island for military readiness. The bill sets forth provisions regarding award amounts for individuals and for claims by the municipality of Vieques.
An individual claimant who has resided on the island of Vieques for not less than five years before this bill's enactment and files a claim for compensation with the Special Master shall be awarded monetary compensation if it is more likely than not that the claimant contracted a chronic, life threatening, or physical or mental disease or illness as a result of the U.S. government having used the island for military readiness.
Total amounts awarded under this bill shall not exceed $1 billion dollars.
A claim to which this bill applies shall be barred unless filed within 15 years of this bill's enactment.
Notwithstanding any contract, a representative of an individual may not receive, for services rendered in connection with a claim of the individual, more than 20% of a payment made under this bill.
