HCR118 • 2025

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A VETERAN’S CEMETERY IN KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE.

Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Carson
Last action: 2026-04-30
Official status: House Veterans Affairs 4/30/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on funding or exact costs, leaving these points as unknowns.

Encourage VA to Look into Veteran Cemetery in Kent County

This resolution asks the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study and suggest if it's possible to build a veteran cemetery in Kent County, Delaware.

What This Bill Does

Asks the VA to look at making a new veteran cemetery in Kent County.
Tells the VA to find out about different places where the cemetery could go.
Requires the VA to check how many veterans might need burial space and what it would cost.
Says the VA needs to talk with people who care about veterans, like local governments and community members.
Needs the VA to write a report by January 1, 2027, telling everyone if they should build the cemetery.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans in Kent County, Delaware
Local governments and community members

Terms To Know

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): A government agency that helps veterans with healthcare, benefits, and burial services.
Feasibility: How practical or possible something is to do.

Limits and Unknowns

The VA does not have to build the cemetery; they just need to study if it's a good idea.
It’s unclear how much money will be needed for the project, and where that money might come from.
This resolution only asks for a report by January 1, 2027. It doesn’t say when or if the cemetery would actually be built.

Bill History

2026-04-30 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in House

Official Summary Text

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A VETERAN’S CEMETERY IN KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE.
This Concurrent Resolution encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) to explore and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware, and to submit a report containing those recommendations no later than January 1, 2027.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Carson & Rep. Bush & Sen. Poore

Reps. Berry, Burns, Griffith, Heffernan, Ross Levin; Sens. Buckson, Hoffner, Pettyjohn

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 118

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A VETERAN’S CEMETERY IN KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the citizens of Kent County, Delaware, are grateful for the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, veterans and their families deserve dignified, accessible, and honorable final resting places that appropriately recognize their service to the nation; and

WHEREAS, access to a veterans' cemetery within reasonable proximity is an important benefit that supports veterans’ families and ensures proper memorialization; and

WHEREAS, Kent County, Delaware, has a significant and growing veteran population; and,

WHEREAS, establishing a veteran’s cemetery within Kent County would offer a convenient burial option for local veterans and their eligible family members; and

WHEREAS, the development of such a cemetery may be eligible for federal and/or state support, including grants administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, a feasibility assessment is necessary to evaluate potential locations, costs, environmental considerations, long-term maintenance, and funding opportunities.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) is hereby encouraged to e

xplore the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware.

Such exploration shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Identification of potential sites.

2. Analysis of projected demand and capacity needs.

3. Review of applicable state and federal requirements.

4. Evaluation of potential funding sources, including grants and partnerships.

5. Assessment of long-term operational and maintenance considerations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

that the Department shall engage with relevant stakeholders, including veterans’ organizations, local governments, and community members, in conducting this assessment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than January 1, 2027, the Department must compile a report summarizing the Department’s work on the issues assigned to it under this Concurrent Resolution, including any findings and recommendations, and submit the report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) to explore and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware, and to submit a report containing those recommendations no later than January 1, 2027.