HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1292
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Affairs
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to establishing the eastern Washington state veterans' cemetery.
Brief Description: Establishing the eastern Washington state veterans' cemetery.
Sponsors: Representatives Barlow, Ahern, Morrell, Hailey, Seaquist, Schindler, Appleton, Skinner, Williams, McDonald, Hurst, Campbell, Haler, Wood, Moeller, VanDeWege, McCune, Conway and Kenney; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Brief History:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/23/07, 1/24/07 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/5/07, 2/6/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Kretz, McDermott, Miloscia and Ormsby.
Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).
Background:
According to Federal Veterans Administration (VA) statistics, there are 140,000 veterans
living in Eastern Washington; 37 percent of these veterans live in Spokane County.
Washington has one national veterans cemetery, the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
This cemetery is 280 miles from Spokane. In order to serve this population, the Washington
State Department of Veterans Affairs has developed plans for a state veterans cemetery in
Spokane County.
The VA provides grants to build veterans cemeteries within 100 miles of major metropolitan
areas. These grants pay 100 percent of design, construction, and equipment costs. The state
must provide the land and is responsible for operation and maintenance. The state also fronts
the design costs; these are reimbursed once the application is approved by the VA.
Summary of Bill:
Creates the first State Veterans Cemetery in Spokane County.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) For many years Eastern Washington veterans have been requesting a cemetery in
Eastern Washington. The only veterans cemetery in the state is on the west side and it is only
fair that the east side have its own veterans cemetery as well.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Barlow, prime sponsor; and John Lee, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 32 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and P. Sullivan.
Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to
Recommendation of Committee On State Government & Tribal Affairs:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is a long time in coming. The Washington State Department of
Veterans' Affairs has wanted this bill for over 10 years. About 25 percent of the state's
population is located east of the mountains, and currently the only veterans' cemetery is
located on the west side of the state. We have a duty to honor our veterans. Veterans in
Eastern Washington really need a cemetery of their own.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Barlow, prime sponsor; John Lee, Director, Washington Department of Veterans' Affairs; and Representative Ahern.