National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 in plain language
1: Disinterment of remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas
This section would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas, within one year after the date this Act becomes law. Before doing so, the Secretary would first have to notify Fernando V. Cota's next of kin; the Secretary could not carry out the disinterment until after giving that notice. After the disinterment, the Secretary would have to either give the remains to the next of kin who was notified, or, if that next of kin does not respond to the notification, arrange for the disposition of the remains in whatever way the Secretary decides is appropriate.
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1. Disinterment of remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas (a) Disinterment Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. (b) Notification The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not carry out subsection (a) until after notifying the next of kin of Fernando V. Cota. (c) Disposition After carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) relinquish the remains to the next of kin described in subsection (b); or (2) if no such next of kin responds to the notification under subsection (b), arrange for disposition of the remains as the Secretary determines appropriate.