HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5736

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                Trade & Economic Development

Title:  An act relating to county burial costs for indigent deceased veterans.

Brief Description:  Increasing county burial costs for indigent deceased veterans.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Winsley, Oke, Benton, Schow, Snyder, Heavey, Bauer and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  3/31/97, 4/2/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Dunn, Vice Chairman; Veloria, Ranking Minority Member; Sheldon, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Ballasiotes; Mason; McDonald and Morris.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  Each county legislative authority must inter at the expense of the county any honorably discharged veterans and the wives, husbands, minor children, widows or widowers of these veterans who are indigent.  The interment cost may not be more than $300.  This sum may also be paid to relatives or friends who conduct a burial for the indigent veteran or their family members who are indigent.

Counties are authorized to levy property taxes of not less than 1-1/8 cents per $1,000 or more than 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.  The monies must be used to provide relief for indigent veterans, families of veterans, and families of deceased veterans.

Summary of Bill:  The interment cost of honorably discharged indigent veterans and the wives, husbands, minor children, widows or widowers of these veterans who are indigent is increased from an amount not more than $300 to not less than $300.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill allows counties to keep pace with increased costs of burial.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  John Lee, Washington State Veterans Department (pro).