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Committee approves rules to expand Idaho State Veterans Cemetery eligibility to traditional guardsmen and reservists
Summary
The House committee approved rule changes to allow traditionally organized National Guard members and reservists who do not meet federal active-duty thresholds to be buried in Idaho State Veterans Cemeteries if they or their families pay equivalent VA plot and marker costs.
The House Commerce and Human Resources Committee voted to approve rule dockets 21-0104-2401 and 21-0104-2402, which amend Idaho—s rules governing state veterans cemeteries to expand eligibility for burial to traditional National Guard members and reservists who did not meet federal active-duty thresholds for VA burial benefits.
Mark Shampel, chief administrator for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, told the committee the change restores burial-eligibility parity for "traditional" guardsmen and reservists who served honorably but did not reach the federal threshold (commonly 180 days of active duty) that would make them eligible for VA burial benefits. Under the amended rule, those newly eligible individuals may be buried at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery but must cover burial costs equivalent to the federal VA plot allowance, which the presenter said is currently $978, and pay for a marker (the agency cited options of $400 for certain upright markers or $250 for other marker types).
Shampel said the rule also removes redundant language already present in Idaho code sections 65-107 and 65-202. The committee approved both the proposed rule and the pending version on voice votes.
Why it matters: The change affects military families and survivors seeking burial at state veterans cemeteries. The amendment provides an option for traditionally organized guardsmen and reservists who do not qualify for VA-funded burial while ensuring the state—s costs are covered by the family or estate.
The rule was approved without roll-call tallies in the committee transcript; presenters said the change had been presented in the prior year but not taken to final floor action due to administrative error.
