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Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act

USA119th CongressHR-3317| House 
| Updated: 5/9/2025
Gerald E. Connolly

Gerald E. Connolly

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Committees (7)
• Homeland Security Committee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Foreign Affairs Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Armed Services Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act," significantly enhances and expands death gratuities for federal employees. It establishes a new, permanent death gratuity of $100,000 , adjusted annually for inflation, for federal employees whose deaths result from injuries incurred in connection with their employment, criminal acts, terrorism, or natural disasters. This gratuity is paid by the employing agency, provided the death was not due to willful misconduct, intent to self-harm, or intoxication. The bill clarifies the definition of an eligible employee and establishes a clear order of precedence for beneficiaries, starting with a designated individual, then the surviving spouse, children, parents, and finally the estate. Importantly, all payments made under this new gratuity are explicitly deemed not includible in the recipient's gross income for tax purposes. The provisions extend this new gratuity to employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), certain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees. Beyond the new gratuity, the bill substantially increases the maximum federal contribution for funeral expenses from $800 to $8,800 , also subject to annual inflation adjustments, and makes these payments tax-exempt. It further amends existing law to ensure that death gratuities for federal employees killed in connection with military service and for Foreign Service personnel who die abroad are also indexed for inflation and are not subject to federal income tax. These existing gratuities are also subject to offsets if other federal benefits are received. Finally, the legislation includes a mechanism for emergency supplemental appropriations, authorizing additional funds for agencies if a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other incident leads to costs for these gratuities that exceed available agency budgets. All amendments and new provisions in this Act apply to any death occurring on or after the date of its enactment, ensuring immediate impact for affected families.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7376
Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5883
Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act
May 9, 2025
Introduced in House
May 9, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.
Jun 12, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2078
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7376
    Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5883
    Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act


  • May 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 9, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.


  • June 12, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2078
    Introduced in Senate

Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act

USA119th CongressHR-3317| House 
| Updated: 5/9/2025
This legislation, titled the "Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act," significantly enhances and expands death gratuities for federal employees. It establishes a new, permanent death gratuity of $100,000 , adjusted annually for inflation, for federal employees whose deaths result from injuries incurred in connection with their employment, criminal acts, terrorism, or natural disasters. This gratuity is paid by the employing agency, provided the death was not due to willful misconduct, intent to self-harm, or intoxication. The bill clarifies the definition of an eligible employee and establishes a clear order of precedence for beneficiaries, starting with a designated individual, then the surviving spouse, children, parents, and finally the estate. Importantly, all payments made under this new gratuity are explicitly deemed not includible in the recipient's gross income for tax purposes. The provisions extend this new gratuity to employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), certain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees. Beyond the new gratuity, the bill substantially increases the maximum federal contribution for funeral expenses from $800 to $8,800 , also subject to annual inflation adjustments, and makes these payments tax-exempt. It further amends existing law to ensure that death gratuities for federal employees killed in connection with military service and for Foreign Service personnel who die abroad are also indexed for inflation and are not subject to federal income tax. These existing gratuities are also subject to offsets if other federal benefits are received. Finally, the legislation includes a mechanism for emergency supplemental appropriations, authorizing additional funds for agencies if a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other incident leads to costs for these gratuities that exceed available agency budgets. All amendments and new provisions in this Act apply to any death occurring on or after the date of its enactment, ensuring immediate impact for affected families.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7376
Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5883
Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act
May 9, 2025
Introduced in House
May 9, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.
Jun 12, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2078
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7376
    Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5883
    Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act


  • May 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 9, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.


  • June 12, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2078
    Introduced in Senate
Gerald E. Connolly

Gerald E. Connolly

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Committees (7)
• Homeland Security Committee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Foreign Affairs Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Armed Services Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted