This bill creates a program to give one-time cash awards to certain United States citizen employees of Air America and several affiliated companies who served between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1976, and to some survivors of those employees. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (the "Director") would run the program and decide who is eligible based on corporate, government, or verified personal records. The base award is $40,000 for individuals who performed at least 5 years of qualifying service or for survivors of a covered decedent. For each full year of qualifying service beyond 5 years, the award increases by $8,000 (pro rata for partial years). Total awards under the Act are capped at $60,000,000, though the Director may ask Congress for more funds if needed. The bill requires the Director to publish procedures in the Code of Federal Regulations within 60 days after enactment, sets a 2-year filing window after those regulations take effect, and directs semiannual reports to specified congressional committees until funds are spent. The bill also limits attorney or agent fees to no more than 25 percent of any award, states that awards do not create entitlement to federal benefits, and makes Director determinations final and not subject to judicial review.
The bill's findings say Air America and affiliates provided direct and indirect support to the United States from 1950 to 1976, and that employees suffered high casualty rates, carried out search-and-rescue missions that saved lives, assisted evacuations, and served long and difficult tours abroad. The bill frames the awards as recognition and compensation for that service and sacrifice.
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