H.R. 7551: Halting Inappropriate Limits Targeting Officers Now Act

The Halting Inappropriate Limits Targeting Officers Now Act, also referred to as the HILTON Act, is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at prohibiting federal agencies from negotiating contracts with certain entities that have previously denied services to federal law enforcement officers based on their official duties. Here’s an outline of the main components of the bill:

Key Provisions

• Contracts Prohibited: The head of a federal agency is not allowed to enter into a contract with an entity that has denied a covered service to a federal law enforcement officer within the past year, if that refusal was due to the official duties of the officer. Additionally, entities that have policies allowing such refusals will also be disqualified from entering contracts with federal agencies.
• Waiver Authority: There are situations where a federal agency head can bypass these prohibitions. A waiver can be granted if:
  • No comparable service is available within a 50-mile radius.
  • A parent company of the entity that denied service has taken sufficient remedial actions against that entity.
• Definition of Entities: Entities that are part of the same corporate group or under common control will be treated as a single entity for the purposes of this bill. This means that if one part of a corporate group has a history of refusing services, the entire group may be ineligible for federal contracts.
• Covered Services: The bill details what constitutes a “covered service,” which includes services such as:
  • Lodging.
  • Transportation.
  • Food and beverage.
  • Healthcare.
  • Vehicle rental.
  • Property rental.
  • Storage.
• Definition of Federal Agency: The term “Federal agency” is defined to include executive agencies as outlined in existing federal law.

Purpose of the Bill

The primary goal of the HILTON Act is to ensure that federal law enforcement officers receive necessary services without discrimination based on their official duties. By establishing specific criteria for engaging with service providers and imposing consequences on those that deny such services, the bill aims to protect law enforcement personnel and support their operational needs.

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