(a) Establishment and administration.--There is established a separate fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Pennsylvania Veterans' Monuments and Memorial Trust Fund. The fund shall be administered by the department, and all moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purposes provided for under subsection (b). The State Veterans' Commission shall assist the department in accordance with section 1704(1) (relating to specific powers and duties).

(b) Purpose.--The moneys in the fund shall be used for the promotion, administration, operation, maintenance and completion of the monuments and memorials dedicated to Pennsylvania veterans and military units and other costs incidental thereto as approved by the department.

(c) Contributions and solicitation of funds.--

(1) The department is authorized:

(i) To accept, on behalf of the Commonwealth, gifts, donations, legacies and usages of money from individuals, organizations, public or private corporations and other similar entities.

(ii) To solicit and raise moneys from public and private sources.

(2) All money received or raised under this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the fund.

(3) The department may use up to 2% of the available funds as of October 31 of each calendar year to administer the fund in accordance with this section.

(d) Operation and maintenance.--Money must be granted for the operation and maintenance of monuments as designated by the department in consultation with the State Veterans' Commission. At a minimum, the following monuments will receive funding, as needed, for operation and maintenance:

(1) The Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial on the grounds of the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

(2) American battle monuments located overseas officially owned or recognized by the Commonwealth.

(3) Pennsylvania unit monuments and markers within the Gettysburg National Military Park.

(4) Other Pennsylvania military memorials and monuments as designated or recognized by the department.

(June 30, 2003, P.L.16, No.8, eff. June 30, 2005; June 28, 2018, P.L.432, No.64, eff. 60 days)