BILL REQ. #:  S-1179.1 

Read first time 01/29/09.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to the performance of Taps at veterans' funerals; adding a new section to chapter 73.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that meaningful and venerated traditions accompany the burial of a veteran, including a live performance of the song Taps. A live performance of Taps at a funeral, alongside other traditional military rites, properly honors a veteran's life and military service at the time of burial. Prerecorded music is an inferior substitute. Therefore, the legislature intends to provide the option of a live performance of Taps at every veteran's funeral.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 73.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each veteran, as defined in RCW 41.04.007, is entitled to a performance of the song Taps at the veteran's funeral by a qualified trumpeter, without cost or charge to the veteran.
     (2) The Washington state arts commission shall identify and maintain a list of trumpet players who are qualified to play Taps at veterans' funerals.
     (3) The department of veterans affairs shall hire trumpeters from the list maintained by the Washington state arts commission and shall pay a fee of one hundred dollars per performance.