| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
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.
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 Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/23/07
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 (the WDVA) 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.