II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2415 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 15, 2006 Ms. Mikulski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2006.

2.

Increase in burial and funeral benefits for veterans

(a)

Increase in burial and funeral expenses and provision for annual cost-of-living adjustment

(1)

Expenses generally

Section 2302(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking $300 and inserting $1,135 (as increased from time to time under section 2309 of this title). (2)

Expenses for deaths in department facilities

Section 2303(a)(1)(A) of such title is amended by striking $300 and inserting $1,135 (as increased from time to time under section 2309 of this title). (3)

Expenses for deaths from service-connected disabilities

Section 2307 of such title is amended by striking $2,000, and inserting $3,712 (as increased from time to time under section 2309 of this title),. (b)

Plot allowance

Section 2303(b) of such title is amended— (1)by striking $300 the first place it appears and inserting $670 (as increased from time to time under section 2309 of this title); and (2)by striking $300 the second place it appears and inserting $670 (as so increased). (c)

Annual adjustment

(1)

In general

Chapter 23 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

2309.

Annual adjustment of amounts of burial benefits

With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the burial and funeral expenses under sections 2302(a), 2303(a), and 2307 of this title, and in the plot allowance under section 2303(b) of this title, equal to the percentage by which— (1)the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds (2)the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 2309. Annual adjustment of amounts of burial benefits. . (d)

Effective date

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)

Prohibition on cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal year 2007

No adjustments shall be made under section 2309 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (c), for fiscal year 2007.