H.R. 4863: Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025

The bill, known as the Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025, seeks to amend the existing Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act. The main focus of this legislation is to provide financial support in the form of lump sum catch-up payments to victims of two specific incidents: the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Lump Sum Payments: The bill authorizes lump sum catch-up payments for individuals who were victims of the Beirut barracks bombing in 1983 and the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996.
• Eligibility Criteria: These payments are specifically aimed at those victims who did not apply for previous payments due to guidance from the Department of Justice. This guidance indicated that only one application could be submitted for each claim, and individuals previously deemed eligible for regular payment distributions could not receive lump sum payments.
• Special Master Role: A designated Special Master will be responsible for authorizing these catch-up payments. They will also establish the necessary procedures and guidelines for implementing this provision within 30 days of the bill taking effect.
• Documentation of Reliance: Victims wishing to qualify for these payments may need to demonstrate their reliance on the Department of Justice guidance through various forms of documentation, which may include written or verbal communications with the Fund or sworn statements.
• Funding Sources: The lump sum payments will be funded from a reserve fund established for this purpose, or from the broader Fund if sufficient reserve funds are not available.

Implementation Timeline

The bill indicates that the Special Master must publish the necessary procedures and guidance within 30 days after the bill becomes effective, which will help facilitate the distribution of these payments to eligible victims.

Objective

The overarching goal of this legislation is to ensure fairness for victims of these tragic incidents who may have missed out on financial compensation due to misinterpretations of prior guidance. By providing a mechanism for lump sum payments, the bill seeks to address these individuals' needs and recognize their suffering.

Relevant Companies

None found