GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 703
Short Title: Memorials in Veterans Cemeteries. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Shepard, Wheatley, Winslow, and Goodwin (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs, if favorable, State and
Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 3, 2025
*H703 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE SALE OF MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS BY STATE 2
VETERANS CEMETERIES TO HONOR THOSE INTERRED WITHIN. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 8A of Chapter 65 of the General Statutes is amended by adding 5
a new section to read: 6
"ยง 65-43.7. Sale of monuments and memorials. 7
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, State veterans cemeteries shall make 8
available for purchase monuments and memorials honoring those interred therein for placement 9
within the cemetery. 10
(b) As used in this section, the term "monuments and memorials" shall include, but not 11
be limited to, memorial trees, granite or marble markers, and granite or marble benches. The term 12
shall not include headstones. 13
(c) The State veterans cemeteries may require that the monuments and memorials offered 14
for sale under this section meet all stylistic guidelines or requirements of the cemetery but may 15
not completely or effectively prohibit the sale of monuments and memorials under this section. 16
(d) The State veterans cemeteries shall not charge more than the market rate for 17
monuments and memorials sold under this section. 18
(e) The proceeds from the sale of monuments and memorials under this section shall be 19
retained by the State veterans cemetery that sells them and be used solely for the purpose of 20
maintaining, improving, or caring for that cemetery." 21
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025. 22