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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Senator Steven Choi, Ph.D. (R–Irvine), introduced Senate Bill 1040, the Veterans Cemetery Maintenance-Endowment Match Act, to strengthen long-term funding for California’s veterans’ cemeteries, today.
The bipartisan bill would add Chapter 10.3 to Division 6 of the Military and Veterans Code and establish a state-local matching program. For every $1 contributed by individuals, veterans service organizations, local governments, or private donors to a qualified cemetery maintenance endowment, the state would provide a $1 match, up to $250,000 per cemetery per fiscal year.
While federal VA grants fund construction, the federal government does not cover ongoing maintenance costs. Existing law allows perpetual maintenance funds supported by donations, but funding levels vary widely, and some cemeteries face maintenance backlogs.
The measure establishes the Veterans Cemetery Maintenance-Endowment Account in the General Fund and requires annual reporting and a five-year program review.
“California has a duty to ensure our veterans’ final resting places are maintained with dignity and respect,” said Senator Choi. “This bill creates a fiscally responsible partnership that strengthens local support and protects these sacred grounds for generations.”
SB 1040 will be heard in policy and fiscal committees in the coming weeks.