Indicates Matter Stricken

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Committee Report

March 27, 2024

 

H. 4953

 

Introduced by Reps B. J. Cox, Davis, M. M. Smith and Bustos

 

S. Printed 03/27/24--H.

Read the first time January 25, 2024

 

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The committee on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4953) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 25-11-80, relating to state veterans' cemeteries, so as to remove a residency requirement, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

S.H. DAVIS for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill amends Section 25-11-80 to remove residency requirements for state veterans' cemetery plots. Currently, in order to qualify for a plot, an applicant must be a veteran or member of the immediate family of a veteran, and the veteran must have received an honorable discharge and been a resident of South Carolina when they entered the armed forces, when they or the family member died, or for a period of at least five years. Currently, DVA is allowed to waive the residency requirement for a compelling reason. This bill means that veterans or their immediate family members only need to qualify for burial at a state veterans' cemetery with a veterans' honorable discharge.

 

DVA administers the M. J. Cooper Veterans' Cemetery as the state veterans' cemetery. The agency expects to make the changes stipulated by the bill under the normal course of business with existing staff and resources. Any increase in the number of burials at the Veterans' Cemetery is expected to be handled through increased revenue. Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure impact for DVA.

 

State Revenue

DVA indicates that this bill may increase Federal Funds revenue by codifying practices that make the agency eligible for future federal grants. The Federal National Cemetery Administration provides a plot allowance for each casket or urn of a veteran. In 2023, this was $893.00. It was changed to $948.00 in 2024. Any change in the number of burials performed is undetermined. Therefore, any increase in Federal Fund revenues is undetermined. In 2023, DVA performed 340 burials that resulted in a plot allowance disbursement. Also, for information, there are approximately 400 available gravesites in land developed for burials, and an additional 30 acres of undeveloped land that could yield approximately 9,200 additional gravesites.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-80, RELATING TO STATE VETERANS' CEMETERIES, SO AS TO REMOVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 25-11-80(F) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (F)(1) To qualify for a plot in a state veterans' cemetery, the applicant must be a veteran or a member of the immediate family of a veteran who meets the requirements of this subsection.

       (2) The veteran must have an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces.

       (3) The veteran must have been a resident of the State:

           (a) when the veteran entered the Armed Forces;

           (b) when the veteran or eligible family member died;  or

           (c) for five years, unless for a reason that the department finds compelling, the department waives the time period.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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