To amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to provide rules for payments to Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors.
Summary
The bill, S. 2776, amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to establish specific rules for payments to Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors. These creditors are plaintiffs with eligible claims arising from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The bill addresses how funds are allocated and distributed to these creditors, particularly those who previously elected to participate in the fund or applied for conditional payment.
Expected Effects
The bill ensures that Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors receive funds previously withheld and allows them to participate in future payment rounds. This clarifies their eligibility and payment procedures under the existing Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act. The changes are retroactive to December 29, 2022.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures equitable distribution of funds to victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
- Releases funds held in escrow to Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors.
- Allows Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors to participate in future payment rounds.
- Provides clarity on eligibility criteria for these specific claimants.
- Corrects potential inconsistencies in the application of the original act.
Potential Disadvantages
- May create administrative complexities in managing payments to different classes of claimants.
- Could potentially delay payments to other claimants if administrative processes become overburdened.
- Limited scope; addresses only a specific subset of claimants, potentially leading to perceptions of unequal treatment.
- The retroactive application may require adjustments to past distributions, adding to administrative burden.
- May not fully address the needs of all victims of state-sponsored terrorism.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause by providing compensation to victims of terrorism. It also aligns with the Fifth Amendment's due process clause by ensuring fair and equitable treatment of claimants. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).