Senate Bill 2432

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE VETERANS' AFFAIRS BOARD TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ADDITIONAL VETERANS CEMETERIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 35-1-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

35-1-41. (1) The State Veterans Affairs Board is authorized to establish, operate and maintain a Mississippi veterans cemetery in this state, which shall be known as the "Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery."

(2) The State Veterans Affairs Board is authorized to establish, operate and maintain additional veterans cemeteries in this state.

(3) The State Veterans Affairs Board has the primary responsibility for verifying eligibility for interment in the veterans cemeteries. Eligibility criteria for interment in the cemeteries is the same as required for interment in a national cemetery as provided by federal law and rules and regulations applicable thereto.

(4) The cemeteries shall be under the control and administration of the State Veterans Affairs Board.

(5) Applications for interment in the cemeteries shall be processed in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the State Veterans Affairs Board.

(6) The State Veterans Affairs Board is designated as the agency of this state to receive federal aid under Title 38 USC, as amended, and is authorized to receive funds from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other agency of the United States authorized to grant or expend funds to assist a state in establishing, operating and maintaining the veterans cemeteries. The board is authorized to receive gifts, contributions, bequests and individual reimbursements from any source, the receipt of which shall not exclude any other source of revenue. All funds received by the board pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into a special fund, hereby created and known as the "Mississippi Veterans Cemetery Fund," and shall be expended to establish, operate and maintain the veterans cemeteries in this state. The State Veterans Affairs Board is authorized to employ such personnel as it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.