Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-559
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2013-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government liability
Government trust funds
Iran
Middle East
Sanctions

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: 
Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Treasury the American Hostages in Iran Compensation Fund to: (1) make payments to specified Americans held hostage in Iran and their family members; and (2) satisfy the claims of the members of the proposed class against Iran relating to the alleged taking of hostages or treatment of personnel of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, between November 3, 1979, and January 20, 1981.
 
Imposes a surcharge, to be deposited into the Fund, of 30% on any fine or penalty imposed for a violation of any law or regulation for any economic activity regarding Iran that is administered by specified federal departments.
 
Sets forth hostage and family member payment provisions.

action_date: 2013-09-12
text: 
Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Treasury the American Hostages in Iran Compensation Fund for the purpose of making payments to the 52 Americans held hostage in the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, from November 3, 1979-January 20, 1981. 
 
Imposes a surcharge, to be deposited into the Fund, of 30% on the amount of: (1) any fine or monetary penalty assessed on a person for violation of a law or regulation penalizing any economic activity relating to Iran that is administered by the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Commerce; or (2) the monetary amount of a settlement entered into by a person regarding a suspected violation of such a law or regulation. 
 
 Requires Fund payments of $150,000 plus $5,000 for each day of captivity first to each living former hostage and then to the estate of each deceased former hostage. 
 
Requires a payment recipient to waive and forever release all existing claims against Iran and the United States arising out of the hostage events.
 
Directs the Secretary to notify each individual qualified to receive a payment of the individual's claim status.
 
States that: (1) if a claim is denied or approved for less than the full amount, the individual shall be entitled to submit additional information; (2) the Secretary may affirm, modify, or revise the former action; and (3) the Secretary's actions in identifying claimants and in disbursing Fund amounts shall be final on all questions of law and fact, and shall not be subject to review by any other U.S. official, agency, or court.
 
Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the status of the Fund until the date: (1) on which all amounts have been made to all recipients, or (2) five years after the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-09-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 183.
action_date: 2013-09-12
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 113-104.
action_date: 2013-09-12
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 113-104.
action_date: 2013-06-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate