Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1338
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9]
Introduced: 2015-03-06
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals

Congressional oversight

Government studies and investigations

Veterans' organizations and recognition
Latest action: action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-03-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study and report to Congress on matters relating to the interring of veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, including:</p> <ul> <li> the scope of the issues relating to veterans' unclaimed remains, including the estimated number of such remains;</li> <li> the effectiveness of VA procedures for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate the interment of such remains in such cemeteries;</li> <li> state and local laws that affect the Secretary's ability to inter unclaimed veterans' remains in such cemeteries; and</li> <li> recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2015-10-26
action_desc: Reported to House with amendment(s)
text: <p><strong>Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015</strong></p> <p> (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study and report to Congress on matters relating to the interring of veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, including:</p> <ul> <li> the scope of the issues relating to veterans' unclaimed remains, including the estimated number of such remains;</li> <li> the effectiveness of VA procedures for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate their interment in such cemeteries;</li> <li> state and local laws that affect the Secretary's ability to inter unclaimed veterans' remains in such cemeteries; and</li> <li> recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action.</li> </ul> <p> (Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit FY2016 awards and bonuses to $2 million for VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive Service.</p>

action_date: 2015-11-16
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on October 26, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study and report to Congress on matters relating to the interring of veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, including:</p> <ul> <li> the scope of the issues relating to veterans' unclaimed remains, including the estimated number of such remains;</li> <li> the effectiveness of VA procedures for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate their interment in such cemeteries;</li> <li> state and local laws that affect the Secretary's ability to inter unclaimed veterans' remains in such cemeteries; and</li> <li> recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action.</li> </ul> <p> (Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit FY2016 awards and bonuses to $2 million for VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive Service.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1338 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2015 Mr. Shuster (for himself, Mr. Farenthold , Ms. Hahn , Mr. Nadler , Ms. Esty , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Mr. Cook , Mr. Marino , Ms. Bordallo , Mr. McGovern , Mr. Rigell , Mr. Rangel , Mr. Crenshaw , Mr. Neal , Mr. McDermott , Mr. Yoho , Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania , Mr. Jones , Mr. King of New York , Mr. Thompson of California , and Mr. Nugent ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries (a) Study and report required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). (b) Matters studied The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: (1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans. (2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Methodology (1) Number of unclaimed remains In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains. (2) Assessment of State and local laws In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 237 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1338 [Report No. 114–312] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2015 Mr. Shuster (for himself, Mr. Farenthold , Ms. Hahn , Mr. Nadler , Ms. Esty , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Mr. Cook , Mr. Marino , Ms. Bordallo , Mr. McGovern , Mr. Rigell , Mr. Rangel , Mr. Crenshaw , Mr. Neal , Mr. McDermott , Mr. Yoho , Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania , Mr. Jones , Mr. King of New York , Mr. Thompson of California , and Mr. Nugent ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs October 26, 2015 Additional sponsors: Mr. Ashford , Mr. Cartwright , Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania , Mr. Fortenberry , Mr. Kline , Mr. Rothfus , Mr. Rice of South Carolina , Mr. Cleaver , Mr. Meehan , Mr. Stewart , Mr. Hunter , Mr. Stivers , Mr. Olson , Mrs. Miller of Michigan , Mrs. Comstock , Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania , Mr. Babin , Mr. Johnson of Ohio , Mr. Perry , Mr. Barletta , Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania , Mr. Duncan of Tennessee , Mrs. Mimi Walters of California , Mr. Curbelo of Florida , Ms. McSally , Mr. Wilson of South Carolina , Mrs. Bustos , Mr. LaMalfa , Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Dent , Mr. Young of Alaska , Mr. Rouzer , Mr. Pitts , Mr. LoBiondo , Mr. Lamborn , Mr. Fattah , Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania , Mr. Hanna , Ms. Norton , Mrs. Napolitano , Mr. Nolan , Ms. Frankel of Florida , Mr. Meeks , Mr. Garamendi , Mr. Ross , Mr. Graves of Missouri , Mr. Gibbs , Mr. Sires , Mr. Franks of Arizona , Ms. Sinema , Mr. Walz , Mr. Latta , Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois , Mr. Capuano , Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York , Mr. Schweikert , Mr. Bishop of Utah , Mrs. Kirkpatrick , Mr. Issa , Mr. Graves of Louisiana , Mr. Carson of Indiana , Mr. Grijalva , Mr. Crawford , Mr. Palazzo , Mr. DeFazio , Mr. Cohen , Mr. Gosar , Mrs. Dingell , Mr. Zeldin , Mr. Langevin , Mr. Veasey , Mr. Thornberry , Mr. Lipinski , Mrs. Walorski , Mrs. Roby , and Mr. Larsen of Washington October 26, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 6, 2015 A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries (a) Study and report required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). (b) Matters studied The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: (1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans. (2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Methodology (1) Number of unclaimed remains In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains. (2) Assessment of State and local laws In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws. 3. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive employees of Department of Veterans Affairs Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: , of which, during fiscal year 2016, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may be paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive Service. .

October 26, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: IB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1338 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries (a) Study and report required Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). (b) Matters studied The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: (1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans. (2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Methodology (1) Number of unclaimed remains In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains. (2) Assessment of State and local laws In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws. 3. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive employees of Department of Veterans Affairs Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: , of which, during fiscal year 2016, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may be paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive Service. .

Passed the House of Representatives November 16, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1338 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries (a) Study and report required Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). (b) Matters studied The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: (1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans. (2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Methodology (1) Number of unclaimed remains In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains. (2) Assessment of State and local laws In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws. 3. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive employees of Department of Veterans Affairs Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: , of which, during fiscal year 2016, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may be paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive Service. .

Passed the House of Representatives November 16, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk