S 7277 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Allows veterans to fish for free in state parks

This bill (S 7277) allows eligible veterans to fish for free in all New York State parks managed by the relevant agency. It directly affects veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge (including qualifying LGBT veterans with specific discharge types under state law). The key provision removes fishing fees for these veterans at state parks, requiring the agency to create necessary rules for implementation. The policy change takes effect 90 days after the law is signed.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 8, 2025 Last action Jun 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S7277 → S7277A · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand eligibility for free fishing in state parks to include specific groups of veterans beyond just general veterans. The changes clarify that the benefit applies to those who served on active duty with an honorable discharge, those with qualifying conditions receiving a non-bad-conduct discharge, and discharged LGBT veterans with a non-bad-conduct discharge.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to explicitly define 'veteran' using criteria from the veterans' services law and to include LGBT veterans as a distinct eligible group.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of who qualifies for free fishing was updated to require an honorable discharge or a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable, rather than just being a veteran of the armed forces.

A new category was added to explicitly include discharged LGBT veterans who meet the discharge requirements as eligible for the free fishing benefit.

DEFINITION

The bill now references the 'veterans' services law' to define the term 'veteran' instead of using a standalone definition.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 7277A

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors