Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is appealing the exclusion of his bill to improve maintenance of veterans’ graves from consideration by the full Legislature.

“Maintaining the graves of our veterans, including those who lost their lives in service to our country, is the last honor we pay them,” said Johnson. “At the same time, we need to do so in a way that doesn't overburden our towns, many of which are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Earlier this year, the legislature passed a bill (LD 274, An Act to Preserve and Protect Ancient Burial Grounds and Burial Grounds in Which Veterans Are Buried) imposing strict standards on municipalities to maintain veterans' graves and ancient burial grounds.

Since then, a town manager in Senator Johnson's district informed him that there are 68 ancient burial grounds covering 36 acres in the town, and that the town is not currently equipped or staffed to meet the new maintenance standards.

Senator Johnson's bill will explore ways to assist towns in meeting the requirements of the new law.

For the second regular session of the legislature, bills that go before the entire Legislature must first be approved by the Legislative Council, a committee comprised of the ten legislative leaders. The Legislative Council met last month and approved slightly more than 100 bills.

The Legislative Council will meet on November 21 to review appeals.