Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) to introduce the Replacing Essential Passports and Licenses After Certain Emergencies (REPLACE) Act. This legislation would automatically waive replacement fees for survivors who lose critical documents like passports in natural disasters. U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) introduced companion legislation in the House.
“As families recover from major disasters, the last thing they should have to worry about is paying to replace passports and other critical documents lost in the damage,” said Bennet. “Our bill will ensure document replacement is free, taking one burden off of Coloradans’ shoulders as they move forward after disaster strikes.”
“Costly replacement fees for critical documents – like passports and visas – are one more hurdle for disaster survivors trying to rebuild,” said Hickenlooper. “Waivers are already legal. They should be automatic.”
“I’m pleased to reintroduce the Replace Act and address the urgent needs of disaster-impacted Americans by ensuring fee waivers for essential documents are automatically granted. When a wildfire destroys a home, the last thing that a family should worry about is paying fees to replace their documents like passports and birth certificates,” said Curtis. “This legislation is particularly crucial for rural Utahns, who will benefit from streamlined access to document replacements in times of need.”
Following a major disaster, victims can spend tens of thousands of dollars replacing critical documents. Under current law, federal agencies may waive these fees, but this process is not automatic and waivers are not guaranteed.
The REPLACE Act would require automatic waivers of certain critical document fees for individuals and households affected by major disasters. This includes passports, visa forms, permanent residence cards, declaration of intent forms, naturalization and citizenship documents, employment authorizations, and biometric service fees.
The text of the bill is available HERE.