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GeorgiaHB 9852025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Veterans affairs; revise terms of eligibility for persons to be buried in Georgia veteran cemeteries

Sponsored By: Josh Bonner (Republican), Sandy Donatucci (Republican), Bill Hitchens (Republican), Danny Mathis (Republican), Brian Prince (Democrat), Bill Werkheiser (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Defense & Veterans AffairsVeterans, Military, and Homeland SecurityGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Georgia burial access expands for Hmong veterans

The law adds Georgia veterans cemetery burial access for people who lived in Georgia at death. They must have served honorably in a Hmong Laotian special guerrilla unit supporting U.S. forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975. They must also have been lawfully admitted to the United States as permanent residents. A family member must submit an affidavit describing the service dates, location, unit, and role. The submission must include available witness affidavits, official service records, and other supporting documents. It must also include a U.S. Certificate of Naturalization copy with the Registration Number or Alien Registration Number. The Department of Veterans Service can require additional documents.

More veterans qualify for Georgia cemetery burial

The law expands Georgia veterans cemetery burial access for reserve members, including National Guard and Space Force Reserve members. Service must begin after January 1, 1973, include at least 24 months of honorable service, and complete the agreed term. Reserve members must leave service under honorable conditions or die while serving honorably. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps members who die while serving honorably also qualify. Eligible members’ spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children can also qualify under federal rules dated January 1, 2026. The Veterans Service Board or its designee can approve burial for people who substantially, but not fully, meet eligibility requirements. That approval is not guaranteed.

Criminal offenses limit Georgia veterans cemetery burial

Georgia veterans cemeteries must apply federal national cemetery burial bans involving certain criminal offenses. The law uses the bans in 38 U.S.C. Section 2411 as of January 1, 2026. These bans apply even when someone otherwise meets eligibility requirements or receives discretionary approval.

Georgia veterans cemeteries can charge burial fees

The Department of Veterans Service can charge a burial-services fee for each person buried in Georgia veterans cemeteries. The fee can follow the burial allowance for national cemetery burial or another amount set by the veterans service commissioner. The law sets no fixed dollar amount and does not require the department to charge a fee. All collected fees must go to Georgia’s general fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Josh Bonner

    Republican • House

  • Sandy Donatucci

    Republican • House

  • Bill Hitchens

    Republican • House

  • Danny Mathis

    Republican • House

  • Brian Prince

    Democrat • House

  • Bill Werkheiser

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rick Williams

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 247 • No: 22

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

MOTION TO TABLE REMAINING LEGISLATION ON THE RULES CALENDAR

Yes: 26 • No: 22 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 2/5/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 173 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026House

  3. Act 441

    5/11/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2026House

  5. Senate Tabled

    3/27/2026Senate

  6. Senate Taken from Table

    3/27/2026Senate

  7. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2026Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/18/2026Senate

  11. Senate Read and Referred

    2/6/2026Senate

  12. House Third Readers

    2/5/2026House

  13. House Passed/Adopted

    2/5/2026House

  14. House Committee Favorably Reported

    1/28/2026House

  15. House Second Readers

    1/27/2026House

  16. House First Readers

    1/16/2026House

  17. House Hopper

    1/15/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 985/AP* (v3)

    PDF

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