Overview

Title

An Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish or replace a headstone, marker, or medallion for the grave of an eligible Medal of Honor recipient regardless of the recipient’s dates of service in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The Mark Our Place Act lets the government give or replace special markers or headstones for brave soldiers who got the Medal of Honor, no matter when they served in the military. It also fixes some confusing words in the law to make it clearer.

Summary AI

S. 3126, titled the "Mark Our Place Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or replace headstones, markers, or medallions at the graves of eligible Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of when they served in the military. Additionally, it makes a technical correction by updating references in the law from “section 491” to “section 2732.”

Published

2024-11-21
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Enrolled Bill
Date: 2024-11-21
Package ID: BILLS-118s3126enr

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
236
Pages:
1
Sentences:
3

Language

Nouns: 61
Verbs: 15
Adjectives: 6
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 19
Entities: 23

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.77
Average Sentence Length:
78.67
Token Entropy:
4.34
Readability (ARI):
38.72

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, referred to as the "Mark Our Place Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. The central purpose of this amendment is to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or replace a headstone, marker, or medallion for the graves of Medal of Honor recipients, irrespective of their specific service dates in the Armed Forces. This policy change would expand the eligibility criteria, ensuring that all recipients of this distinguished military award are honored with a government-furnished grave marker.

Summary of Significant Issues

  1. Lack of Clarity and Context: One of the primary concerns is the bill's lack of context and clarity, particularly in Section 2, which outlines eligibility changes. The bill amends certain clauses but does not provide a comprehensive explanation of what these amendments mean in practical terms. This lack of detail can make it challenging for the public and stakeholders to comprehend the broader legal and financial implications.

  2. Complex Language: The language used in the bill is complex and might be difficult for those without legal expertise to interpret. Legal jargon and specific amendments are mentioned without layman's explanations, which could hinder public understanding and reduce transparency.

  3. Undisclosed Financial Implications: Although the bill expands eligibility for receiving grave markers, it remains unclear whether this would lead to increased government spending on such memorials. A lack of detailed financial implications could impact budget evaluations and accountability.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this bill would primarily ensure that all Medal of Honor recipients receive the appropriate recognition for their service, symbolized through government-provided grave markers. This recognition could reinforce public respect and acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by military personnel awarded the nation's highest military honor.

However, without clear communication regarding potential financial impacts, taxpayers might be uncertain about how the changes interact with public resources. It is crucial for the bill's financial implications to be transparent to maintain trust and accountability.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

  • Medal of Honor Recipients and Their Families: This bill would be particularly beneficial for Medal of Honor recipients and their families. By expanding the eligibility regardless of service dates, it guarantees that these individuals receive due recognition and honors posthumously, contributing to the families' sense of pride and closure.

  • Veterans Affairs Officials: Implementation of this policy may necessitate adjustments within the Department of Veterans Affairs, potentially requiring additional resources or changes in administrative processes to accommodate the new eligibility criteria. It is vital that the department is prepared for any logistical and fiscal adjustments.

  • Lawmakers and Policymakers: For those in legislative and policy-making positions, clear communication of the bill's impacts is essential. They need to ensure that amendments like these are clearly debated and understood by the public to maintain governance transparency and accountability.

In conclusion, while the "Mark Our Place Act" aims to address a notable gap in honoring Medal of Honor recipients, the issues of transparency, complexity, and financial implications warrant careful consideration and clear communication to ensure successful implementation and public trust.

Issues

  • The bill lacks clarity and context, especially in Section 2, regarding what changes are being made and their broader implications. This could make it difficult for stakeholders and the general public to fully understand the impact, both legal and financial, of the eligibility expansion for recipients of government-furnished headstones, markers, or medallions.

  • The language used in Section 2 is complex and may be hard to interpret without specific legal knowledge, which could hinder public understanding and transparency. The section makes amendments to specific clauses without clearly explaining the changes in layman's terms.

  • There is a lack of detailed information in Section 1 about the overall objectives and implications of the 'Mark Our Place Act,' making it difficult to assess potential impacts, including financial, ethical, or political implications, that might arise from the bill.

  • While the bill modifies eligibility criteria for certain honors, it is unclear whether there are any related financial implications, such as increased spending on headstones, markers, or medallions. This oversight could affect budget evaluations and public accountability.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill states that it may be called the "Mark Our Place Act."

2. Expansion of eligibility for Government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion for Medal of Honor recipients Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The bill modifies Section 2306(d)(5)(C) of title 38, United States Code, to change the rules about who can receive a government-provided headstone, marker, or medallion, focusing on Medal of Honor recipients. It removes certain requirements and makes a technical correction by updating a reference from "section 491" to "section 2732".