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WV HB5377

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/9/2026

Primary Sponsor

Sarah Drennan

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Expands eligibility for burial in the West Virginia state veterans' cemetery to include former National Guard and military reserve members who served at least four years and received a discharge other than dishonorable
  • Requires eligible National Guard/reserve members to have been West Virginia residents for two consecutive years prior to death, or to have completed their qualifying enlistment in the West Virginia National Guard or reserves
  • Applies eligibility retroactively to decedents who passed away after March 15, 2022
  • Establishes a Burial Equity Grant Program providing up to $1,000 per family to cover burial costs, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs on a first-come-first-serve basis
  • Creates a Burial Equity Fund in the State Treasury with an initial appropriation of $50,000 by September 1, 2026, which does not revert to general revenue at fiscal year end

Legislative Description

Burial Equity Act

Last Action

To House Finance

2/9/2026

Committee Referrals

Finance2/9/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available