PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 117-355.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 5, 2023
National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022
This act addresses the administration and jurisdiction of national cemeteries.
Specifically, the act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a plot or interment allowance for a veteran if the veteran was buried before March 15, 2022, in a cemetery on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, a tribal organization, and the organization that maintains or operates the cemetery applies for such allowance. Such allowance is only authorized if a plot or interment allowance was not already paid for the burial of such veteran.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The act also authorizes the VA to designate green burial sections in national cemeteries (i.e., sections of cemeteries in which the remains of individuals have been prepared for interment in a manner not involving chemicals or embalming fluids and have been interred in a natural manner or completely biodegradable burial receptacle).
The act authorizes the Department of the Army to transfer certain lands to the VA to expand the Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
In addition, the act authorizes the Department of the Interior to transfer certain land to the VA for the land to be used as a national cemetery.
Finally, the act prohibits persons who have committed certain crimes from being interred or memorialized in a cemetery in the National Cemetery Administration or in Arlington National Cemetery.
People & committees
Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] · D–MT
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 117-355.
Became Public Law No: 117-355.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10038-10039)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10038-10039)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4949.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10038-10040)
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7303-7304; text: CR S7303-7304)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7303-7304; text: CR S7303-7304)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: May 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.4949 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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