3 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (May 13, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v2 and v3 are limited to the attestation of the House Clerk and the addition of Senate referral information. There are no substantive policy changes to the bill's text.

H.R. 1682119th CongressIntroduced Feb 27, 2025

BELO’S Act

Passed HouseArmed Forces and National SecuritySubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]
Committees: Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Sep 16, 2026

Bottom line

This bill expands eligibility for lifetime federal recreation passes to include Gold Star families, recognizing their profound sacrifice by providing free access to national parks and other federal recreational lands.

What it actually does

This bill amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to establish a new category of eligibility for lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes. Specifically, it grants these passes to any individual survivor of a fallen service member who is entitled to a death gratuity under title 10, United States Code, or dependency and indemnity compensation under title 38, United States Code.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill is a small but meaningful way to honor the profound sacrifice made by service members and their families, providing a tangible benefit to those who have lost a loved one in service. They contend it offers a gesture of gratitude and access to healing and recreational spaces within the nation's natural treasures.

Opponents contend

No direct opposition is typically raised against benefits for Gold Star families, as such measures are widely viewed as gestures of national gratitude. Any potential concerns, if raised, might relate to the minor administrative burden or the precedent of expanding free access, but these are generally considered negligible for a measure of this nature.

The bill is exceptionally short and uses clear, direct language, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its provisions quickly.

Section 2

Lifetime Passes for Survivors of Fallen Service Members

prominently featuredstraightforward

This section amends existing law to grant lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to individuals who are survivors of service members who died while serving their country. Eligibility is specifically tied to receiving a death gratuity under section 1475 of title 10, United States Code, or dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code. These passes provide free entry and access to federal lands managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupSurvivors of service members eligible for death gratuity or DIC (Gold Star families)ImpactPositive, grants free lifetime access to federal recreational lands and facilities.MechanismDirect amendment to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(b)(2)) to include this new category of eligible individuals.ScaleIndividual benefit, potentially affecting thousands of eligible families nationwide, offering access to hundreds of federal sites.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this provision directly addresses a need to honor the sacrifices of military families by providing them with access to national treasures for recreation, solace, and reflection. They emphasize that this benefit recognizes the unique and profound loss experienced by these families.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is widely seen as a gesture of respect and gratitude towards Gold Star families. Any potential concerns would likely be minor administrative or fiscal considerations, rather than fundamental objections to the benefit itself.

Tradeoffs

The primary tension, if any, involves balancing the societal desire to provide benefits to deserving groups with the minor administrative costs and potential revenue loss from pass sales. However, for this specific group, the profound societal benefit is generally considered to significantly outweigh these minimal costs.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.