Overview

Title

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program for the construction and renovation of committal shelters at State-owned veterans' cemeteries, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The bill wants to help build or fix special shelters at graveyards for soldiers so people stay dry when it's rainy or snowy. It plans to use both government and other money, but there's only a little bit of government money available for each place.

Summary AI

The proposed S. 5455, also called the "Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams State Committal Shelter Act of 2024," aims to establish a program managed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for building or renovating committal shelters at state-owned veterans' cemeteries. The program will provide shelters that protect people from bad weather during burial services. The Secretary will select three cemeteries for this project based on need, location in areas with extreme weather, and consideration of veteran families served. The project will be jointly funded with 50% from federal funds and 50% from state or local governments, nonprofits, or private entities, with a federal funding cap.

Published

2024-12-09
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-12-09
Package ID: BILLS-118s5455is

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
902
Pages:
5
Sentences:
23

Language

Nouns: 268
Verbs: 70
Adjectives: 37
Adverbs: 6
Numbers: 30
Entities: 48

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.48
Average Sentence Length:
39.22
Token Entropy:
4.90
Readability (ARI):
22.79

AnalysisAI

Overview of the Bill

The bill, titled the "Hershel 'Woody' Williams State Committal Shelter Act of 2024," is designed to support renovations and construction of committal shelters at state-owned veterans' cemeteries. These structures are intended to provide attendees at burial services protection from inclement weather. The bill proposes a collaborative funding approach, combining federal funds with contributions from state or local governments, nonprofit organizations, or private entities. Importantly, the bill specifies that the federal government will not be responsible for the maintenance or upkeep of these facilities after the initial construction or renovation phase.

Significant Issues

Several issues arise from the proposed legislation:

  • Funding Limitations: The bill outlines a federal funding limit of $2,000,000 per cemetery and places an overall cap at $5,000,000. This might be insufficient for the construction or renovation work needed in areas experiencing significant weather challenges, potentially leading to inadequately protected facilities.

  • Selection Process: The criteria for selecting which cemeteries will participate in the program are not well-defined. The bill mentions selecting based on "drastic variation in annual temperature and weather patterns" and "relative demonstrated need," but these are vaguely described, leaving room for subjective interpretation and potential bias.

  • Long-term Sustainability: There is no mention of additional funding beyond the initial allocation, and the bill does not require federal involvement in the ongoing maintenance of the shelters once the cooperative agreements end. This could lead to financial burdens on state or local entities if they are unable to cover maintenance costs, potentially risking the longevity and usability of the shelters.

  • Geographical Focus Issues: By specifying that one of the selected cemeteries must be located in a state wholly served by the Appalachian Regional Commission without detailed geographical boundaries, the bill may inadvertently exclude eligible cemeteries and create confusion about participation requirements.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

For the general public, especially families attending burial services at state-owned veterans' cemeteries, the bill could provide improved facilities that offer shelter from bad weather, making services more accessible and comfortable. However, if the funding proves inadequate due to the set cap, these benefits may not be fully realized, potentially leaving some cemeteries with minimal upgrades or plans that cannot proceed as intended.

For stakeholders such as state or local governments, veteran organizations, and nonprofit entities, the cooperative funding model presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it allows for collaboration and potentially leveraging community or private funds, it also imposes a financial responsibility that some may struggle to meet, especially if unexpected maintenance costs arise after the federal government's initial involvement concludes.

In conclusion, the bill aims to honor veterans by ensuring better facilities during their final honors, but the observed funding and logistical ambiguities present challenges that could affect its execution and effectiveness. These issues warrant further discussion and clarification to ensure the legislation meets its intended purpose and provides lasting benefits.

Financial Assessment

The proposed legislation, S. 5455, titled the "Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams State Committal Shelter Act of 2024," includes several financial components aimed at supporting the construction and renovation of committal shelters at state-owned veterans' cemeteries.

Financial Summary

The bill outlines a cost-sharing initiative whereby the construction or renovation expenses for the shelters are to be divided equally between federal funds and other sources such as state or local governments, nonprofits, or private entities. Specifically, the federal government will cover 50% of the costs, with a maximum contribution of $2,000,000 per individual cemetery and a total cap of $5,000,000 for the entire program. These financial constraints are crucial as they govern the extent to which federal support can be utilized in such undertakings.

Issues with Financial Limits

The limitations posed by the financial caps may raise concerns. The $2,000,000 limit per cemetery and the $5,000,000 total federal funding cap may be insufficient, particularly given the high potential costs of constructing or renovating shelters in regions with extreme weather conditions. These financial specifications might restrict comprehensive protection features necessary for the cemeteries. This limitation directly points to the issue that some might argue the federal funding could be inadequate for achieving the intended objectives, stressing the long-term usability and durability of the structures.

Selection Criteria and Funding Clarity

While the bill emphasizes a competitive selection process for cemeteries to receive federal funding, the criteria for selection include factors like "drastic variation in annual temperature and weather patterns" and "relative demonstrated need." These criteria are not explicitly detailed in the bill. Financial allocations follow from these criteria, which raises concerns about transparency and fairness in the selection process. Without a clear quantitative assessment, there might be perceptions of partiality, potentially affecting the financial planning and preparedness of states and entities that aim to secure federal matching funds.

Long-term Financial Implications

Regarding long-term financial obligations, it is specified that the federal government will not be responsible for maintaining or upkeeping the shelters after the cooperative agreements conclude. This could impose an unexpected financial burden on state or local governments if they lack the resources to maintain the shelters adequately. The absence of federal commitment to sustain operations can impact the shelters' condition and functionality in the long run, potentially diminishing the investment's value over time.

Geographic Scope and Funding Eligibility

Another issue is the use of the term "Appalachia" without clear geographic boundaries, which can lead to confusion in determining eligibility for funding. This ambiguity might limit potential participation of some cemeteries in the program, thereby affecting the dispersal and application of federal funds. Clarity here would ensure that funds are allocated where they are most needed and can be most effectively utilized.

In summary, while the financial framework of the bill acknowledges cost-sharing and aims for broad participation, the specified financial limits and selection criteria may pose challenges to effectively implementing and sustaining the program's goals across eligible cemeteries.

Issues

  • The financial limitations on Federal funding, with a maximum of $2,000,000 per cemetery and a total cap of $5,000,000, may be inadequate given the potential high costs of construction and renovation in regions with drastic temperature variations and may not cover necessary features for protection against inclement weather. (Section 2, subsections (e) and (f))

  • The competitive selection process for participation in the program is not clearly defined, including how criteria such as 'drastic variation in annual temperature and weather patterns' and 'relative demonstrated need' are assessed, which could lead to perceptions of bias or unfairness in selecting cemeteries. (Section 2, subsections (c) and (f))

  • The language does not specify long-term plans or whether additional funding will be available, which may be significant for stakeholders concerned about sustainability and ongoing support for the program. (Section 2, subsection (h)(2))

  • The use of the term 'Appalachia' without clear geographic boundaries could cause confusion about eligibility requirements and might limit participation for certain cemeteries. (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(B))

  • There is no Federal obligation to maintain facilities after the cooperative agreement ends, potentially leaving State or local governments with unexpected costs if they cannot maintain the shelters, which could impact the long-term usability and condition of these facilities. (Section 2, subsection (h)(2))

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 section gives the official short title of the act, which is the "Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams State Committal Shelter Act of 2024."

2. Committal structures at State-owned veterans' cemeteries Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create or improve committal shelters at state-owned veterans' cemeteries to protect attendees from bad weather, requiring a mix of federal and non-federal funding. It prioritizes cemeteries in areas with significant weather changes, sets a funding cap for individual projects, and specifies that the federal government will not handle upkeep after the initial cooperation ends.

Money References

  • (2) FEDERAL MAXIMUM.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Each cemetery participating in the program shall receive not more than $2,000,000 in Federal funds through the program.
  • (B) TOTAL FEDERAL MAXIMUM.—The total Federal share of the cost of construction and renovation of all committal shelters under the program shall not exceed $5,000,000.