To waive the passport fees for first responders proceeding abroad to aid a foreign country suffering from a natural disaster.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 21, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The First Responders Passport Act of 2023 waives U.S. passport fees for first responders who travel abroad to assist with disaster relief operations in foreign countries affected by natural disasters. The bill applies to individuals working under contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with the U.S. Government who must be available to deploy within the first seven days following a natural disaster and are required to proceed abroad on short notice. The Secretary of State is authorized to waive both passport and execution fees for these eligible responders at their discretion. Within 90 days after the end of the first full fiscal year following enactment, the State Department must report to Congress on how many first responders received these fee waivers. The bill does not specify particular funding amounts, as the fee waivers represent foregone revenue rather than new appropriations.
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