Bill Overview
Title: Granite Mountain Hotshots Commemorative Coin Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the fight of the Granite Mountain Hotshots against the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Yarnell Fire District for the purpose of wildfire prevention and wildfire education.
Sponsors: Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4]
Target Audience
Population: People interested in commemorative coins and residents of the Yarnell Fire District
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill involves the minting of commemorative coins, which generally impacts collectors and individuals interested in purchasing such coins.
- Proceeds from the coin sales will go to the Yarnell Fire District to support wildfire prevention and education, which will benefit residents in and around that district by possibly reducing future wildfire risk.
- The global numismatic community may be interested in acquiring these limited edition coins, especially because they commemorate a well-known firefighting team, the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
- The legislation indirectly impacts citizens by promoting wildfire prevention education through funded programs, potentially decreasing wildfire incidents and improving safety.
Reasoning
- The policy's primary financial impact comes from the sale of commemorative coins, targeting collectors and enthusiasts, thereby contributing to the Treasury's revenue through surcharges.
- The beneficiaries are not only the general public who appreciate the collectibles but also the residents of the Yarnell area whose community services for wildfire prevention will be enhanced through the proceeds.
- It is anticipated that the short-term impact on individuals outside the immediate collecting and affected community will be minimal, focusing instead on public safety improvements through indirect means like fire education programs.
- In estimating the population impacted, we consider general numismatic interest and residents in wildfire-prone areas, approximating a wider benefit over 10 years due to increased safety and prevention measures.
Simulated Interviews
Firefighter (Prescott, Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a nice tribute to our comrades who fought bravely during the Yarnell Hill Fire.
- I appreciate any effort that increases funding for wildfire prevention as it directly influences our safety.
- As a firefighter, seeing more resources going into education and prevention is comforting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Numismatist (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an exciting opportunity to add unique coins to my collection.
- I appreciate coins that have historical significance and this set appeals to that interest.
- The commemoration of such an important event adds value beyond just monetary worth, it's a piece of history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired School Teacher (Yarnell, Arizona)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that helps our community be better prepared for fires is a welcome change.
- I've seen too much devastation from past fires, and more education could make a difference.
- It's reassuring to have tangible support coming to our small district from these coin sales.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Marketing Specialist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hadn't heard of this initiative before, but I'm interested since my family is in Arizona.
- The premise sounds thoughtful, but it won't directly affect my day-to-day life.
- It's good to know funds are going to a good cause, but I won't be buying the coins myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Wildfire Policy Analyst (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with efforts to increase funding for wildfire prevention.
- Educational programs funded by such efforts have lasting impacts, and this policy could help.
- While the personal benefit to me is indirect, it's a step in the right direction for fire safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Art Teacher (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I collect items related to public service, so these coins would be a great addition.
- The historical and heroic aspect of firefighting makes these coins particularly special.
- I value that the coins also serve a purpose beyond collecting by funding something beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Investment Banker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Commemorative coins are a niche market, but can offer unique investment opportunities.
- I would consider investing in these for their rarity and historical connection.
- The cause they support adds a positive narrative to the investment, but it's not my primary concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
University Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The concept of the policy is intriguing to me because of my field of study.
- Improving wildfire prevention and education is critically important given the increasing risk in certain areas.
- Direct impacts on my life might be limited now but could increase as I enter professional roles in this field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Selling these coins could attract more customers interested in local history and memorabilia.
- While I will not directly purchase them for personal reasons, this policy indirectly supports my business.
- I am glad to see funds put toward wildfire prevention as it's a constant worry for us here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Forest Ranger (Boise, Idaho)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any funds directed towards wildfire prevention and education are beneficial to areas like mine.
- Though directly, it's more applicable to Arizona, the policy signifies growing support for all fire-prone areas.
- The coins themselves are of less interest to me, but their purpose aligns with my career goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Key Considerations
- The immediate costs of crafting and distributing coins are offset by the expected revenue from coin sales.
- Market demand for the coins based on their commemorative value and collector interest can affect the overall cost-benefit balance.
- The proposed availability for purchase timeframe and potential interest fluctuations could impact revenue and subsequent surcharges.