SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5736

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 1997

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:  Government Operations:  2/27/97, 3/4/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/12/97, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Patterson and Swanson.

Staff:   Eugene Green (786-7405)

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 must not cost more than $300.  This sum may also be paid to relatives or friends who conduct a burial for the above-mentioned indigent.

Summary of Bill:  The interment cost of not more than $300 is changed to not less than $300.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This just allows the counties to keep up with inflation and preserve the dignity of deceased indigent veterans.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Francis Agnes (pro); John Lee, Deputy Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The interments may not cost more than a limit established by the county legislative authority.