NY A01920

Director of veterans' services must issue a public request for information from local governments interested in hosting the first state veterans cemetery, with responses due within 60 days and publicly posted on the division's website.

Division must conduct an investigation and study in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs examining potential sites, cemetery size, costs, accessibility, funding sources, and other factors, with a report due within 180 days.

A nine-member selection committee (including the director of veteran services, budget director, three gubernatorial appointees, two senate appointees, and two assembly appointees) must evaluate the study results and determine the cemetery location by majority vote.

Director of the budget and state comptroller must certify that sufficient funds exist to cover non-reimbursable operation and maintenance costs for at least ten years before any federal funding application is submitted.

Once funds are certified and a site is selected, the director has 30 days to begin the federal grant application process for construction, establishment, and perpetual care of the first state veterans cemetery.