Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a new national cemetery in Hawai`i to expand local burial options for veterans, spouses, and dependents and reduce the travel burden for Pacific families.
Show full summary
- Veterans and families: It would give local burial choices for veterans who now must travel about 2,500 miles for inground burials. The bill cites that the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has been closed to casketed burials since 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036.
- Planning and timeline: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be required to prioritize sites near population centers, follow the National Environmental Policy Act, and consult the Governor and veterans groups. The Secretary must report suitable sites within 1 year and then provide annual progress reports until the cemetery opens. The effort is expected to proceed in six phases and take more than eight years.
- Access goals and coordination: The move supports the National Cemetery Administration goal that 95 percent of veterans live within 75 miles of a national, State, or Tribal cemetery and would supplement State veterans cemeteries to increase Pacific access.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New national cemetery in Hawaii
This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national cemetery in Hawaii. The work would follow chapter 24 of title 38 and the National Environmental Policy Act. The Secretary would prioritize sites near population centers, reachable by existing transport, and that limit environmental harm. The Secretary would consult the Governor of Hawaii and local veterans service organizations. Within one year the Secretary would report suitable sites to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees. Within two years and annually until operations begin the Secretary would report progress on planning, land, design, and construction. This would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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