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NATIONAL CEMETERY EXPANSION ACT OF 2003 

H.R. 1516, AS AMENDED 

TITLE:  A bill to provide for the establishment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of six additional cemeteries in the National Cemetery System. 

H.R. 1516, as amended, would: 

1.      Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, not later than four years after the date of enactment, six new national cemeteries in the following areas: southeastern Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; Bakersfield, California; and Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina.   

2.      Direct the Secretary to use Advance Planning Funds for the establishment of the new cemeteries. 

3.      Direct the Secretary, in determining the specific sites for the new cemeteries, to solicit the advice of representatives of State and local veterans’ organizations and other individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

4.      Require the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 120 days of enactment setting forth the five areas where those cemeteries will be established, a schedule for establishment, the estimated cost associated with establishment, and the amount of Advance Planning Funds obligated for this purpose.  

5.      Require the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report that updates the information included in the initial report until the five cemeteries are completed.