Senate Bill 2619

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A MISSISSIPPI STATE VETERANS CEMETERY SYSTEM TO SERVE VETERANS, SPOUSES AND ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS OF THE VETERANS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE VETERANS' AFFAIRS BOARD TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Veterans' Affairs Board is authorized to establish and maintain a Mississippi state veterans' cemetery system to serve veterans, spouses and eligible dependents of the veterans of the State of Mississippi.

(2) The board may acquire, by gift, purchase or condemnation, lands necessary for the purposes of the cemeteries. Title to the properties shall be taken in the name of the state. Land for the cemetery system may be acquired in Hinds County near Cooper's Well or in any other suitable location as determined by the board.

(3) The board is authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

(4) The board is authorized to make applications to federal agencies such as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and to accept any private or public funds, or other assistance made available to the board, to effectuate the purposes of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.