Report Title:

Veterans Cemeteries; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the maintenance of veterans cemeteries statewide, including the purchase of casket liners to help remedy the soil problems at veterans cemeteries.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1065

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that burials for qualified veterans and their dependents in veterans cemeteries on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the Hawaii state veterans cemetery on Oahu is an honor reserved for those who served their country in either peacetime or wartime.  Establishment of these veterans cemeteries reflects the commitment of the people of Hawaii to those who served in the armed forces of the United States.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii's veterans cemeteries suffer from inadequate care and maintenance due to the lack of sufficient funding necessary to maintain these facilities at the level they deserve.  For example, the soil used at veterans cemeteries is not suitable for re-use as back-fill in graves due to its composition and moisture content.  This substandard soil fails to 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.  To remedy the problem, appropriate soil and casket liners are necessary.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide adequate funds for the care and maintenance of veterans cemeteries statewide, including but not limited to the purchase of casket liners to help remedy the soil problems at the cemeteries.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the maintenance of state veterans cemeteries statewide, including but not limited to the purchase of casket liners to help remedy the soil problems at the cemeteries.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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