Waiving Permit Application Fees for Veterans Events at Federal War Memorials (H.R. 1029)

What is H.R. 1029?

(Updated December 2, 2021)

This bill — known as the Free Veterans From Fees Act — would waive the special use permit application fee for veteran groups applying for a permit to hold an event honoring veterans at war memorials on federal land.

Argument in favor

Veterans have sacrificed greatly to protect the freedom and liberties we enjoy. They shouldn’t have to pay an application fee when seeking a permit for an event at a federal war memorial.

Argument opposed

Application fees exist to help the agencies that manage public land and resources cover the cost of processing them. Veterans shouldn’t get fees waived for events at federal war memorials.

Impact

Veterans applying for an event permit at a federal war memorial; and relevant federal agencies.

Cost of H.R. 1029

In the 116th Congress, the CBO estimated that implementing this bill would affect a small number of permit applications and would increase net discretionary spending by an insignificant amount.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) reintroduced this bill from the 115th and 116th Congresses to waive application fees for special use permits for veterans’ demonstrations and special events at war memorials on federal land:

“This legislation would properly thank our nation’s heroes by giving them the opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital on national honor buses and flights without the unnecessary paperwork and financial costs. The last thing veterans and their families should worry about are burdensome administrative fees when visiting memorials and monuments erected in their honor.”

When he reintroduced this bill in the 116th Congress, Rep. Steube said:

“It’s important that we do all we can to honor our nation’s veterans. Our nation has long valued giving our Veterans the opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital to visit national war memorials through national honor buses and honor flights. This bill would waive the various administrative and processing fees associated with visiting these memorials. These men and women made a valiant sacrifice by serving in the armed forces and giving them the opportunity to visit the memorials in their honor without pesky fees is the least we can do to recognize their service.”

Lead Democratic cosponsor Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) adds:

"Our veterans served with dignity and honor, and deserve the very best our nation has to offer. Although we can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe these heroic men and women, waiving application fees for the facilitation of honor flights and honor buses is one simple way to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice."

This legislation unanimously passed the House Committee on Natural Resources with the support of 20 bipartisan cosponsors, including 16 Democrats and four Democrats.

In the 116th Congress, this legislation passed the House by voice vote with the support of 11 bipartisan House cosponsors, including nine Republicans and two Democrats. 

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) Press Release (117th Congress)
  
• Sponsoring Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) Press Release (116th Congress)
• Sponsoring Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) Press Release (115th Congress)
• CBO Cost Estimate (116th Congress)
• Causes (116th Congress Version)