House Bill 138 would allow Guardsmen, reservists and out-of-state veterans'dependents into Maryland state veteran cemeteries, department says

The Health and Government Operations Committee heard testimony in favor of House Bill 138, titled the Burial Equity Act, which would expand eligibility for interment in Maryland state veterans cemeteries.

Russ Ware, director of cemetery and memorial programs for the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, testified the bill would allow members of the National Guard and military reserves to be buried in state veteran cemeteries along with eligible family members and would remove Maryland's residency requirement for veteran interments. Ware said that removing the residency requirement is necessary for the state to be eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery grants and to allow eligible dependents of out-of-state veterans to use state cemetery benefits.

Ware, a 25-year Air Force veteran, told the committee the federal VA provides burial rights for veterans and that the bill would "share the privilege" with guardsmen and reservists. He said federal grant funds would cover the cost of out-of-state veteran burials but that burial costs for out-of-state dependents would be a State expense. Ware projected the program could see approximately 600 burials over the next five years, with a roughly 70/30 split, and that roughly 150 might occur in the first two years depending on outreach.

Committee members raised fiscal questions. Ware and other witnesses said allowing nonresident veterans would allow Maryland to pursue VA expansion grants, which require states to have no residency requirement as of a VA rule effective Jan. 1, 2025. Witnesses confirmed the change could generate federal funds to support veteran burials and cemetery expansion while creating some state costs for burials of out-of-state dependents. Ware said the department removed a dependent fee about two years ago, which had been a source of revenue for the program.

Lynn Nash of the Maryland Military Coalition and representatives of the United States Public Health Service Ready Reserve testified virtually and in person to ask that HB 138 explicitly include members of the U.S. Public Health Service Ready Reserve, Coast Guard reservists, and others the coalition said were excluded by the bill's current language; the department's witness said he did not oppose expanding the list and that it would not change the fiscal note.

After questioning, Chair Pena Melnik closed the hearing on HB 138. Witnesses asked the committee for a favorable report.