Bill > HR4536

This bill establishes a military fitness bonus pay program to incentivize and reward physical fitness among active-duty service members. The legislation is motivated by concerns about declining physical fitness in the military, including findings that 77 percent of young Americans are ineligible for military service, obesity rates among active-duty personnel have increased from 10.4 to 17.4 percent between 2012 and 2022, and obesity-related health issues cost the military an estimated $1.5 billion annually. Under the proposed program, service members who achieve a score of 90 percent or higher on a physical fitness test would receive a $500 bonus, while those achieving a perfect score would receive $1,000. These bonuses would be available for each required physical fitness test and would be considered a qualified military benefit, making them exempt from income tax. The bill also requires annual reporting to congressional defense committees on the number of bonuses awarded, total costs, and potential impacts on military readiness. The underlying goal is to foster a culture of physical excellence, improve individual and unit readiness, and address health-related challenges that affect military effectiveness.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4536/all-info