This section defines key terms for understanding the chapter related to the California Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ord. It specifies the roles of different funds, like the Endowment Fund for funding non-reimbursable costs and the Operations Fund for ongoing maintenance expenses. The 'Department' refers to the Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for various costs tied to planning, designing, and constructing the cemetery. It also clarifies the various phases of capital projects, such as studies and construction, and the costs associated with operating and maintaining the cemetery, including personnel and service coordination.

This law mandates that the California department, in voluntary partnership with local authorities, will design, develop, and build a state-operated veterans cemetery at the former Fort Ord site. The department will manage all aspects of the cemetery's creation, ensuring that its design aligns with the established Master Plan. Additionally, the department can collaborate directly with the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to manage the project solely focused on the cemetery's public works.

This law requires the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs to create an advisory committee for the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. The committee includes a representative from Monterey County, one from the City of Seaside, three from local veterans' organizations, and at least two department members.

The department must consult with the advisory committee on major design changes to the cemetery, especially since the Endowment Fund supporting it relies heavily on private and local contributions.

This section establishes the California Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Endowment Fund to cover costs related to the cemetery. Money in this fund, coming from donations or other specified sources, will be used for expenses like design, construction, and ongoing operations for the next ten years. The fund can also invest to help cover these costs, ensuring that any earnings stay within the fund. The money is exempt from certain state financial requirements. If the cemetery receives more revenue than it needs, the extra funds will go back into this endowment.

This law involves the financial and procedural steps California must take to secure a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for a State Veterans Cemetery. First, money from the Endowment Fund, once approved by the Legislature, will be moved to the Operations Fund to cover costs of developing the grant application and completing preliminary plans. The Director of Finance must verify there's enough funding for these phases.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will represent California in the grant application process and has final say on the cemetery's design and operation. Once funds are transferred and the grant is certified, the department may start construction and outfitting the cemetery.

This law changes the name of the fund dedicated to the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery to the California Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ord Operations Fund. It specifies that money can be moved from another fund, called the Endowment Fund, to pay for yearly operation and maintenance costs of the cemetery, subject to approval by the Legislature.

Additionally, up to 20% of the allocated funds must be kept as a reserve for unexpected costs. This reserve is for expenses that couldn’t have been anticipated when the estimated costs were initially prepared.

This law requires the department to establish rules about who can be buried in state veterans cemeteries after applying for the State Veterans Cemetery Grant Program. It includes setting fees for burying or disinterring the remains of veterans, their spouses, and dependent children. Only honorably discharged veterans and their immediate families are eligible for these services. These collected fees are to be placed into a specific fund. The rules must apply to all state-run veterans cemeteries for consistent fair treatment across California.

This law outlines the process for adding monuments or memorials to a veterans cemetery in California. Any proposal for constructing, placing, or donating such items must first be reviewed by the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Advisory Committee. After review, the proposal needs approval from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the department will set rules about how designs and placements are handled. If the Endowment Fund has extra money beyond what's needed for the cemetery's regular upkeep, it can be used to create new monuments, with the Legislature's approval.

This law allows the veterans cemetery administrator to accept donations of personal property, like money or gifts, to upkeep or improve the veterans cemetery, but they need approval from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs first.

When donations are in cash, they go into the Endowment Fund, which can be used for repairs or specific projects at the cemetery that the donor chooses, but only after the Legislature approves how the money is used.