Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
Expands RECA eligibility and payments. This bill would broaden who can claim compensation, add many cancers and diseases with a two‑year onset rule, raise baseline payments to $150,000, and create a petition process to add new exposed groups.
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- Exposed individuals and families would gain wider eligibility across more places including Guam and numerous added ZIP codes, shorter physical‑presence rules (often 1 year instead of 2), and qualifying coverage for specific on‑site events and cleanups. They would also be eligible for a new baseline payment of $150,000 and reimbursement for documented out‑of‑pocket medical costs.
- Previously compensated claimants and survivors would be able to request the difference between their prior award and the newly calculated eligible amount. Payments to beneficiaries of deceased claimants would increase from $25,000 to $150,000.
- Public health and claims systems would expand with new NIH studies, screening extended to covered descendants, a required international radiation exposure data system, and directed grants with mobile units to specified states and territories. The bill would also extend the RECA fund authorization to 2043 and the claims filing window to 2042.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded testing-era eligibility
If enacted, the bill would extend atmospheric-testing coverage through November 6, 1992. You would qualify if you lived in an affected area for at least one year between July 1, 1946 and November 6, 1992, or if you were present April 25, 1962 through November 6, 1962. The bill would add on-site participant paths for specific events and codify Guam as a qualifying territory for some pathways.
Higher payments and medical refunds
If enacted, RECA flat payments would be higher. Some $100,000 awards and small beneficiary payments would be increased to $150,000. You would be able to get reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical bills caused by a listed disease if you submit medical records. If you already got RECA money, you could ask the Attorney General for the difference between the new amount and what you were paid.
Easier filing and Manhattan Project rules
If enacted, the bill would add ZIP codes in Missouri, Illinois, Washington, Colorado, and Ohio that can qualify for Manhattan Project waste claims. It would remove an age limit for leukemia claims and require disease onset after the required presence period. Survivors or authorized agents could file claims for deceased or incapacitated people. The Attorney General would accept written affidavits from others as supplemental evidence under penalty of perjury.
Longer funding and filing deadlines
If enacted, the bill would extend RECA fund authorization through 2043 instead of 2028. It would also extend the deadline to file claims from 2027 to 2042. Many of the bill's changes would be treated as if they had been included in earlier RECA enactments.
More diseases qualify for claims
If enacted, the bill would add many cancers and illnesses to the list of compensable diseases, including leukemia (explicitly covering chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney and thyroid diseases, and a long list of primary cancers. Each listed disease would count only if it began at least two years after your first exposure.
New petition path to add classes
If enacted, the bill would create a petition process to add classes of people to RECA. The Secretaries of Energy and HHS must advise the Attorney General within 180 days. The Attorney General would recommend to the President, who must decide within 30 days. Designated classes would become 'petitioner cohorts' and could become eligible for benefits.
More studies, screening, and grants
If enacted, NIH would start studies within 90 days on cancers and thyroid illness among covered descendants and would seek an international radiation database within one year. The Energy Secretary would study whether fallout affected Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and report within 18 months. The bill would direct screening grants to listed states and territories and require at least four mobile unit awards in rural areas. It authorizes multi-year funding for these studies and grants for FY2027–FY2032 and FY2027–FY2041, respectively.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
AZ • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
IL • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
MO • R
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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