Free land gift expands burial capacity at Dayton National Cemetery
H.R. 2164 — Dayton National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2025 · Filed by Michael Turner (R-OH) · Introduced Mar 14, 2025 · Markup held
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What it does
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept a free transfer of approximately 58 acres of land in Dayton, Ohio, from the Montgomery County Land Bank. The land, located across from Dayton National Cemetery, is intended to expand the cemetery. The VA has 30 days to begin negotiations once the Land Bank offers the transfer, and must complete the acquisition within three years. The transfer is at no cost to the federal government.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is authorization of a free land transfer to expand burial capacity at a national cemetery. It is a straightforward public-benefit measure with no hidden provisions or private carve-outs.
What the text implies
- The three-year completion window creates a soft deadline; if VA does not accept within that period, the offer lapses and the land remains with the Land Bank, potentially limiting expansion if circumstances change.
- The bill does not specify funding for cemetery improvements, maintenance, or burial operations on the expanded land—those costs would fall to VA appropriations and may not be explicitly budgeted.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Veterans and their families gain expanded burial capacity at a national cemetery at no cost to taxpayers. The bill imposes no restrictions on citizens' rights or remedies and creates a straightforward public benefit through intergovernmental land transfer.