During the 2014 legislative session, the Maine Legislature will consider a bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Chris Johnson of Somerville to help municipalities maintain veterans’ graves.

“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. It is important that we work with municipalities to clarify their responsibilities to maintain veteran’s graves.”

Last 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) requiring municipalities to maintain veterans' graves. One town manager in Johnson's district informed him that there are 68 cemeteries covering 36 acres in their town alone, and that the town is not equipped to maintain all the veterans' graves.

Johnson's bill, LR 2580, An Act To Fund the Maintenance of Veterans' Grave Sites, 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 of the 10 legislative leaders. The panel met November 21 to hear appeals by lawmakers' whose bills were not initially approved, and the panel voted 10-0 to advance Johnson’s bill.

The full legislature will reconvene in January 2014.