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S 3001RHODE ISLANDSession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Rhode Island Bill Grants Burial Rights at State Veterans Cemetery to Hmong and Lao Special Guerrilla Unit Veterans

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- BURIAL OF VETERANS (Provides that certain Hmong or Lao veterans who served honorably in military operations in support of the United States as special guerrilla units be granted burial rights at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.)

Last action · March 11, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsor: Walter Felag

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Rhode Island legislation grants burial rights at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery to certain Hmong or Lao veterans who served honorably in military operations in support of the United States as .

Why it matters

Expands cemetery eligibility to include a specific group of foreign-born allied veterans who served alongside United States forces during specific historical conflicts, altering the criteria for state-provided burial benefits.

Background

Special guerrilla units composed of Hmong and Lao fighters covertly aided United States armed forces during the Vietnam War conflict in Southeast Asia. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Hmong and Lao veterans

Veterans who served in special guerrilla units are granted eligibility for burial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Directly affected

Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery operators

Cemetery administration must accommodate burial requests from the newly eligible class of veterans.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is newly eligible for burial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery under this bill?

Certain Hmong or Lao veterans who served honorably in military operations in support of the United States as .

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 11, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Mar 6, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/11/2026)
Mar 4, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Rhode Island, Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, United States

locationRhode Island“State considering the legislation.”Map →

OrganizationRhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery“Cemetery designated for veteran burials in Rhode Island.”Map →

locationUnited States“Country supported by special guerrilla units.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

status.rilegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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