Sponsors (40)
Introduced March 21, 2025 by Andrew R. Garbarino · Last progress March 21, 2025
The bill creates a dedicated, transparent way to honor fallen firefighters and fund their foundation through limited-run commemorative coins, at the trade-off of higher costs for buyers, modest administrative burdens and production risks, and a small chance taxpayers subsidize the program if sales fall short.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and firefighter survivors will receive predictable surcharge revenue from sales of the commemorative coins, providing a steady funding stream for survivor support and firefighter programs.
Families of fallen firefighters and the general public will see the Memorial and fallen firefighters honored on official U.S. coins, increasing national recognition and commemoration.
Taxpayers and the public are protected because the Treasury must recover all minting and issuance costs before surcharge funds are disbursed, and the bill authorizes the Treasury to sell commemorative coins to raise revenue/seigniorage.
Buyers and collectors will pay higher effective prices because statutory surcharges (and potential market premiums) increase the cost above face value and above intrinsic metal value.
Taxpayers could indirectly bear production or administrative costs if sales or surcharges do not fully cover Mint expenses, creating a risk of subsidized costs to operate the program.
Federal employees, Mint staff, and advisory bodies will face added administrative burden to coordinate design reviews, collect/track/remit surcharges, issue implementing guidance, and account for costs, increasing workload and overhead.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the Treasury to mint three commemorative coins in 2026 and direct specified surcharges to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation after full cost recovery.
Authorizes the Treasury to mint and sell three commemorative coins honoring the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in three denominations (a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half‑dollar clad coin) with set maximum mintages and physical specifications. Sales will include set surcharges that are paid to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, but the Mint must recover all costs before any surcharges are disbursed and the program must not create a net cost to the government. Designs must depict the Memorial and firefighter service, be reviewed by advisory bodies, and coins must be offered in proof and uncirculated qualities only during the one‑year issuance window beginning January 1, 2026. The Director of the Mint sets sale prices to cover face value, surcharges, and issuance expenses; prepaid and bulk sales at reasonable discounts are permitted, and the Foundation must submit to audit rules for funds received.