CA AB1453

Creates a state-owned and state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery on 125 acres at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, in voluntary cooperation with Orange County local government entities.

Establishes eligibility for interment to honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependent children, with the Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to set fees for spouse and dependent child interment.

Creates three special funds: the Southern California Veterans Cemetery Master Development Fund for design and construction costs, the Perpetual Maintenance Fund for ongoing cemetery maintenance, and the Donations Fund (continuously appropriated) for donations designated for maintenance and beautification.

Requires the department to apply for a federal grant of up to 100% of the estimated design, development, construction, and equipment costs through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for preliminary design work and declares legislative intent to appropriate additional annual funding in the Budget Act for cemetery operations and maintenance.