BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's House has killed bipartisan legislation that would fund burials for veterans' spouses at the state-owned cemetery near Mandan.
The House defeated the measure 58-32 on Friday. Senators unanimously endorsed the bill in February.
The measure sets aside $160,000 over the next two years to pay for burials for spouses and children of veterans under the age of 21.
Belcourt Democratic Senator Richard Marcellais is the bill's main sponsor and an Army veteran. He says spouses of military veterans are deserving of the no-cost burials.
It currently costs $550 to bury a spouse at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Minot Republican Representative Larry Bellew says the House Appropriations Committee believes the cost to bury a spouse isn't that expensive but taxpayers should not have to pay for it.