A 291 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Includes the space force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits

Summary

Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Assembly Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Signed Dec 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A291 → A291A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends multiple state laws to formally recognize the Space Force as a branch of the armed forces and veterans' services, ensuring Space Force members receive the same credits and benefits as other military branches. The changes also update the list of military academies included in the definition of military service and clarify eligibility for veterans' benefits.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of military recognition to include the Space Force and adds the United States Merchant Marine Academy to the list of recognized military academies.

SCOPE

Added Space Force to the list of recognized military branches in the definition of military service

Added United States Merchant Marine Academy to the list of recognized military academies

DEFINITION

Updated the bill title and committee referral status to reflect amendments

ELIGIBILITY

Reordered the list of affected laws to include education law and clarify the scope of amendments

Floor votes · Senate Jun 12, 2025 · Assembly May 21, 2025

How they voted

57–2

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 63

Jun 12, 2025

D Democratic41

36 Yea 2 Nay 3

87% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 5, 2025

Signed into law

SIGNED CHAP.611

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPASSED SENATE

upper

May 21, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

upper

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED ASSEMBLY

lower

May 20, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 291A

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS

lower

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors