NY A05347

Changes the requirement for establishing the first New York state veterans cemetery from requiring prior certification of funding sufficiency to allowing the division to proceed with the investigation and study based on consultation with the Department of State Division of Cemeteries.

Reduces the timeline for conducting investigations and studies on establishing additional state veterans cemeteries from ten years to three years after the first cemetery is completed.

Establishes a management board for each state veterans cemetery consisting of nine members, including the division director as chair, with at least four members who are veterans and representation from the governor, senate, and assembly.

Requires the division to commence construction of the first state veterans cemetery no later than January 1, 2021, following rules and regulations for planning, site selection, federal funding applications, and cemetery operations.

Authorizes the director to expand or improve existing state veterans cemeteries in consultation with management boards, following established division rules and regulations.