[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5455 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5455
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program for
the construction and renovation of committal shelters at State-owned
veterans' cemeteries, and for other purposes.
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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 9, 2024
Mr. Manchin introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
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A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program for
the construction and renovation of committal shelters at State-owned
veterans' cemeteries, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hershel `Woody' Williams State
Committal Shelter Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. COMMITTAL STRUCTURES AT STATE-OWNED VETERANS' CEMETERIES.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program for the
construction or renovation of committal shelters at State-owned
veterans' cemeteries to ensure attendees of burial services at such
cemeteries are protected from inclement weather (in this section
referred to as the ``program'').
(b) Solicitation of Applications.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit
applications from States for participation in the program.
(c) Selection of Cemeteries.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall select, on a
competitive basis, three State-owned veterans' cemeteries for
participation in the program.
(2) Criteria.--
(A) In general.--Each cemetery selected by the
Secretary for participation in the program shall be
located in an area with drastic variation in annual
temperature and weather patterns.
(B) Appalachia.--One cemetery selected by the
Secretary for participation in the program shall be
located in a State in which each county of that State
is served by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
(3) Priority.--
(A) In general.--In selecting cemeteries for
participation in the program, the Secretary shall
prioritize cemeteries based on relative demonstrated
need, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Considerations.--In making a determination
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consider--
(i) the number of veterans' families served
by a cemetery; and
(ii) the relative severity of weather at a
cemetery.
(d) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary shall carry out the
program by entering into a cooperative agreement (as described in
section 6305 of title 31, United States Code) with each cemetery
selected for participation in the program.
(e) Committal Shelters.--At each cemetery selected for
participation in the program, the Secretary shall construct one or more
new committal shelters, or renovate one or more existing committal
shelters, so that each such shelter--
(1) is fully enclosed; and
(2) has heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and
restroom services necessary for hosting not more than 50
individuals.
(f) Cost Share Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The share of the cost of the construction
or renovation of a committal shelter under the program shall be
as follows:
(A) 50 percent Federal funds, subject to paragraph
(2).
(B) 50 percent funds provided by State or local
governments, nonprofit organizations, or private
entities.
(2) Federal maximum.--
(A) In general.--Each cemetery participating in the
program shall receive not more than $2,000,000 in
Federal funds through the program.
(B) Total federal maximum.--The total Federal share
of the cost of construction and renovation of all
committal shelters under the program shall not exceed
$5,000,000.
(g) Use of Funds.--Amounts obligated and expended by the Secretary
under the program may be used for any activities that support the
construction or renovation of committal shelters at cemeteries
participating in the program, including costs associated with
compliance with laws (including regulations).
(h) Funding.--
(1) Derivation of funds.--Amounts to carry out the program,
as provided in advance in appropriations Acts from amounts
specifically appropriated to carry out the purposes of this
Act, may be derived from amounts appropriated to carry out
section 2408 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Maintenance and upkeep.--The Federal Government shall
not be required to provide any amounts for the maintenance or
upkeep of any committal shelter after the termination of the
cooperative agreement concerned.
(i) Regulations.--The Secretary shall revise regulations as
necessary to carry out this section.
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