I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1114 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 23, 2009 Mr. Rehberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a process for determining whether a geographic area is sufficiently served by the national cemeteries located in that geographic area.

1.

Determination by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of whether a geographic area is served by national cemeteries located in that area

(a)

Process required

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a process for determining whether a geographic area is sufficiently served by the national cemeteries located in that geographic area. Such process shall take into account each of the following: (1)The number of veterans living in the geographic area. (2)The average distance a resident of the geographic area must travel to reach the nearest national cemetery. (3)The population density of the geographic area. (4)The average amount of time it takes a resident of the geographic area to travel to the nearest national cemetery. (5)The availability of public transportation for purposes of traveling to national cemeteries located in the geographic area. (6)The average amount of any fees charged to an individual traveling on the major roads leading to the national cemeteries located in the geographic area. (b)

Consideration of alternatives

In the case of a geographic area in which sufficient land is not available to the Secretary for the establishment of a cemetery, the Secretary shall consider alternatives to establishing a cemetery, including establishing a mausoleum.