February 25, 2025:
The South Dakota House voted 0-70 to kill a bill wanting to defund a program that costs the state $52-thousand a year to help mark the graves of deceased veterans.
Tuesday’s (Feb. 25, 2025) unanimous vote against House Bill 1038 was a rarity, in either legislative chamber. The measure would have completely cut a program that provides $100 to families of deceased veterans to help erect headstones to allow name, rank, birth date and death date to be etched into the headstone.
Several military veterans, including former South Dakota National Guard head Tim Resich, spoke against the measure.
February 11, 2025:
During committee hearings Tuesday (Feb. 11, 2025), South Dakota legislators delayed discussion on a proposal to reduce state spending on veterans burial benefits.
House Bill 1038 would repeal the state’s $100 stipend for headstone etching and $200 for headstone setting for veterans at private cemeteries.
Brandy Miesner with the state Bureau of Finance and Management said the cuts, totaling $52,700, are needed because “state general fund revenues have not been as strong.” She said the state veterans cemetery provides a “no-cost burial option” and the federal government offers burial benefits ranging from $978 to $2,000.
HB 1038 will be brought up again later in the 2025 legislative session.
Story courtesy of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
February 4, 2025:
A proposal to end veteran burial benefits drew strong opposition from veterans groups Monday (Feb. 3, 2025), leading lawmakers to recommend against it.
House Appropriations Committee voted 9-3 to give House Bill 1038 a “do not pass” recommendation. The measure would end stipends for headstone etching and setting at private cemeteries. The Bureau of Finance and Management sought to save $52,700 annually through the cuts.
The program aided 255 veterans’ families with burial costs last year.
Doug Feltman with the South Dakota American Legion said it costs between $200-350 to set a marble stone in a private cemetery. He said that’s a big financial hit to veterans’ families.
The bill now heads to the Joint Appropriations Committee.
Story courtesy of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
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