Appropriates funds for casket liners and to address the soil problems at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

The legislature finds that the Hawaii state veterans cemetery in Kaneohe opened in 1991 as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific was reaching full capacity. The Kaneohe cemetery is Hawaii's only state run facility that serves veterans and their family members. The cemetery is a place of peace and tranquillity where comrades-in-arms and friends can visit the final resting-place of departed veterans.

Unfortunately, this peace and tranquillity has been disturbed by soil problems in the area. A recent study has found that the cemetery's soil is not suitable for re-use as back-fill in graves due to its composition and moisture content. Consequently, the substandard soil cannot provide the necessary support for graves and headstones, causing them to sink in unsightly holes that mar the landscape and desecrate the sanctity of the cemetery. In order to remedy the soil problem, appropriate soil and casket liners are necessary.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funds to remedy the soil problem and for purchase of casket liners at the Hawaii state veterans cemetery to ultimately provide a decent burial site for Hawaii's veterans.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $21,480, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to address the soil problems at the Hawaii state veterans cemetery; provided that a portion of the appropriated amount for fiscal year 2005-2006 shall be used for casket liners.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.