Bill > S3613

This bill, titled the Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act, mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish a new national cemetery in Hawai‘i. The bill highlights the current lack of accessible burial options for veterans in Hawai‘i, noting that the existing National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has been closed to casketed burials since 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036, forcing residents to travel over 2,500 miles for such services. To address this, the Secretary must select a site that is near population centers, accessible by transportation, and minimizes environmental impact, after consulting with the Governor of Hawai‘i and veterans' organizations. The Secretary is also required to submit reports to Congress within one year identifying potential sites and annually thereafter, detailing progress on site selection, environmental assessments, land acquisition, design, construction, and the eventual operational status of the new cemetery. The National Cemetery Administration, or NCA, is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs responsible for managing national cemeteries.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3613/all-info