II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1266 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 2, 2007 Mr. Craig 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 assistance for veterans interred in cemeteries other than national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Dignified Burial Assistance Act of 2007.

2.

Increase in assistance for veterans interred in cemeteries other than national cemeteries

(a)

Increase in plot or interment allowance

Section 2303(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking $300 each place it appears and inserting $400. (b)

Repeal of time limitation for State filing for reimbursement for interment costs

(1)

In general

The second sentence of section 3.1604(d)(2) of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, shall have no further force or effect as it pertains to unclaimed remains of a deceased veteran. (2)

Retroactive application

The provision of paragraph (1) shall take effect as of October 1, 2006. (c)

Grants for operation and maintenance of State veterans' cemeteries

(1)

In general

Subsection (a) of section 2408 of such title is amended— (A)by inserting (1) before Subject to; (B)by designating the second sentence as paragraph (2) and indenting the margin of such paragraph, as so designated, two ems from the left margin; and (C)in paragraph (1), as designated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by striking assist such State in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries owned by such State. and inserting “assist such State in the following: (A)Establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries owned by such State. (B)Operating and maintaining such cemeteries. . (2)

Limitation on amounts awarded

Subsection (e) of such section is amended— (A)by inserting (1) before Amounts; and (B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2)In any fiscal year, the aggregate amount of grants awarded under this section for the purposes specified in subsection (a)(1)(B) may not exceed $5,000,000. . (3)

Conforming amendments

(A)Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (i)by striking Grants under this section and inserting Grants under this section for the purposes described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and (ii)by striking a grant under this section each place it appears and inserting such a grant. (B)Subsection (d) of such section is amended by inserting , or in operating and maintaining a veterans' cemetery, after veterans' cemetery. (C)Subsection (f)(1) of such section is amended by inserting , or in operating and maintaining veterans' cemeteries, after veterans' cemeteries. (4)

Regulations

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regulations to carry out the amendments made by this subsection.