House File 293 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY MASCHER Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act making an annual appropriation to the commission of 2 veterans affairs for the state veterans cemetery. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2309HH 81 5 ec/gg/14 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 35A.3, subsection 14, Code 2005, is 1 2 amended to read as follows: 1 3 14. To establish and operate a state veterans cemetery and 1 4 to make application to the government of the United States or 1 5 any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, for funds 1 6 for the purpose of establishing such a cemetery. There is 1 7 appropriated from the general fund of the state to the 1 8 commission for each fiscal year the sum of three hundred 1 9 seventy=five thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing 1 10 and operating a state veterans cemetery. The state may enter 1 11 into agreements with any subdivision of the state for 1 12 assistance in operating the cemetery. The state shall own the 1 13 land on which the cemetery is located. The commission shall 1 14 have the authority to accept federal grant funds, funding from 1 15 state subdivisions, donations from private sources, and 1 16 federal "plot allowance" payments. All such funds shall be 1 17 deposited into an account dedicated to the establishment, 1 18 operation, and maintenance of a veterans cemetery and these 1 19 funds shall be expended only for those purposes. The 1 20 commission through the executive director shall have the 1 21 authority to accept suitable cemetery land, in accordance with 1 22 federal veterans cemetery grant guidelines, from the federal 1 23 government, state government, state subdivisions, private 1 24 sources, and any other source wishing to transfer land for use 1 25 as a veterans cemetery. 1 26 EXPLANATION 1 27 This bill appropriates $375,000 annually to the commission 1 28 of veterans affairs to establish and operate a state veterans 1 29 cemetery. 1 30 LSB 2309HH 81 1 31 ec:rj/gg/14