Pub. L. 116-107 - An act to permit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program.

116th Congress

Affects: 20 U.S.C. §§ 7801; 38 U.S.C. §§ 3452

SECTION 1. GRANTS FOR CEMETERY RESEARCH AND THE PRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.

(a)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program.

(a)(2) The Secretary may award a grant under this section to any of the following entities:

(a)(2)(A) An institution of higher learning.

(a)(2)(B) A local education agency.

(a)(2)(C) A non-profit entity that the Secretary determines has a demonstrated history of community engagement.

(a)(2)(D) Another recipient the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(a)(3) A recipient of a grant under this section may use the grant amount to—

(a)(3)(A) conduct research related to national, State, or Tribal veterans’ cemeteries;

(a)(3)(B) produce education materials that teach about the history of veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal veterans’ cemeteries; and

(a)(3)(C) promote community engagement with the histories of veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal veterans’ cemeteries.

(a)(4) A grant awarded under this section may not exceed $500,000.

(b) If the Secretary establishes a grant program under this section, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations regarding—

(b)(1) Evaluation.the evaluation of applications for grants under the program; and

(b)(2) administration of the program.

(c) Not later than 2 years after the Secretary establishes a grant program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report regarding the determination of the Secretary whether the grant program is a financially effective means to promote the purposes in subsection (a)(3).

(d) In this section:

(d)(1) The term “Veterans Legacy Program” means the program of the National Cemetery Administration that is responsible for providing engagement and educational tools and opportunities to the public regarding the service and sacrifice of veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal veterans’ cemeteries.

(d)(2) The term “institution of higher learning” has the meaning given that term in section 3452(f) of title 38, United States Code.

(d)(3) The term “local educational agency” has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2385:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):

Oct. 15, considered and passed House.

Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate.