H.R. 2580House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Palomares Veterans Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:45 AM UTC

The Palomares Veterans Act of 2021 amends the veterans’ benefits law to create a presumption that certain veterans who took part in the response to the 1966 Palomares nuclear weapons accident in Spain have a service‑connected disability. The presumption applies to anyone who was on site during the response effort between January 17, 1966 and March 31, 1967. It also ensures the presumption applies for dependency and indemnity compensation even if the veteran died before the law took effect. The change affects eligible veterans and their families.

Key Provisions

Adds a new category (v) to the list of qualifying events for disability compensation, covering onsite participation in the response to the B‑52 and refueling plane collision that released four thermonuclear weapons near Palomares, Spain, from Jan 17 1966 to Mar 31 1967.
Makes the presumption effective immediately upon enactment of the Act.
Extends the presumption to dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving family members, regardless of when the veteran’s death occurred.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

July 14, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 15, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 15, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

July 14, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 15, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2580

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 15, 2021

Mrs. Hayes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Palomares Veterans Act of 2021.

Presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain

(a)

Disability compensation

Section 1112(c)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

(v)

Onsite participation in the response effort following the collision of a United States Air Force B–52 bomber and refueling plane that caused the release of four thermonuclear weapons in the vicinity of Palomares, Spain, during the period beginning January 17, 1966, and ending March 31, 1967.

(b)

Effective date and applicability

(1)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Applicability concerning dependency and indemnity compensation

For purposes of section 1310 of title 38, United States Code, the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a death notwithstanding whether such death occurred before, on, or after such date.