Veterans

passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1919: Eliminates sporting license fees for honorably discharged, disabled veterans

This bill eliminates fees for New York state veterans who are honorably discharged and have a qualifying disability (40%+ service-connected) or meet specific veteran status criteria under the Veterans' Services Law. It directly affects eligible veterans by removing the $765 fee for a lifetime hunting, fishing, and turkey permit license, changing it to $0. The key mechanism updates the environmental conservation law to create a new fee category specifically for these veterans, while maintaining standard fees for other license types. The policy change applies immediately upon enactment, providing permanent fee relief for qualifying veterans purchasing this combined license.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates $765 fee for eligible veterans, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service under Veterans' Services Law95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1200: Allows the granting of academic credit at city or state operated institutions to veterans

This bill (S 1200) allows veterans to earn academic credit at New York State and City University systems for military training they completed. Specifically, full-time undergraduate veterans enrolled in good standing at these institutions can receive full credit toward their degree for military courses meeting American Council on Education standards - without any fees or tuition charges. It applies to veterans who served honorably in active duty, reserves, or New York National Guard/Militia. The law requires university boards to create procedures for implementing this credit transfer.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by granting academic credit for military training without fees, aligning with 'expands educational access' indicator.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly grants veterans academic credit for military training without fees, expanding educational benefits for honorably serving veterans at state institutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6661: Establishes the New York state veterans cemetery act

Establishes the "New York state veterans cemetery act"; directs the division to conduct an investigation and study on the issue of the establishment of a New York state veterans cemetery funding program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs study to establish veterans cemetery funding program, advancing recognition and services for veterans through dedicated state cemetery initiative.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4528: Relates to free use of state parks, recreation facilities and historic sites by veterans

New York State bill S 4528 allows eligible veterans who are residents of New York to use state parks, recreation facilities, and historic sites without paying any fees, including entrance, parking, or camping charges. It directly affects New York resident veterans who served honorably (discharged other than bad conduct or dishonorable), including those with qualifying conditions or who are LGBT veterans. The bill requires the parks and recreation departments to create an information program - such as website updates - to help veterans access these free benefits and to develop implementing rules. This policy change removes financial barriers for veterans, making state recreational resources accessible at no cost under specific eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill grants eligible New York veterans free access to state parks and facilities, directly expanding benefits and recognition without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7642: Relates to excluding the five New York state veterans homes from certain assessments

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes state veterans homes from gross receipts assessments, providing tax relief to public facilities under Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes veterans homes from financial assessments on patient care income, protecting operational funding for healthcare services provided at these facilities.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veterans homes from income assessments, preserving funding for services and operations per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5946: Enacts the "Technical Sergeant Joseph G. Lemm tuition benefit act"

Enacts the "Technical Sergeant Joseph G. Lemm tuition benefit act" to allow members of the New York state organized militia to receive tuition benefits for certain post-secondary degree programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition benefits for post-secondary education access to state militia members, advancing educational access through targeted funding.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition benefits for New York state militia members (veterans), advancing educational support through direct benefit expansion for military service members.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5210: Provides for reimbursement for certain insurance premiums for certain members of the naval militia, New York air, army national guard, and New York guard

Provides for reimbursement for certain insurance premiums for certain members of the naval militia, New York air, army national guard, and New York guard.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides insurance premium reimbursement for National Guard/militia members, a direct financial benefit supporting veterans' financial needs through state-level service recognition.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5733: Relates to the cost of maintenance and operation of local veterans' service agencies

This bill (S 5733) changes how state funds cover maintenance and operation costs for local veterans' service agencies. County and city agencies will receive 50% of their approved costs from the state, with population-based limits: $25,000 for areas under 100,000 people, plus $5,000 for each additional 100,000 people in population. The state will allocate funds using 0.5% of the previous year’s veterans’ administration spending. It directly affects county and city veterans’ service agencies, ensuring predictable state reimbursement for operational costs. The bill amends existing law to clarify funding mechanisms without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds (50% coverage with population-based limits) to maintain veterans' service agencies, directly funding essential public services through budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates state funds (50% of costs, capped by population) to cover maintenance/operations of veterans' service agencies, directly funding veteran programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1183: Establishes a real property tax exemption for veterans with a 100 percent service connected disability

This bill would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and be permanently and totally disabled due to military service. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. This policy change directly affects veterans meeting these specific criteria, providing them with tax relief on their main residence starting with 2026 assessment rolls.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disability, directly expanding financial benefits and reducing burdens for this specific veteran group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4358: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition award program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or survivor. It defines "qualified veteran" as someone who would qualify for the award if they met enrollment requirements, and specifies who counts as an "eligible immediate family" member. Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award, with transfers limited to children under 26 who meet service requirements (e.g., veteran served 10+ years unless discharged due to death or specific conditions). The bill caps annual transfers at 100 and requires veterans to designate beneficiaries via a form before the program's effective date in 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands veterans' tuition benefits to family members, increasing higher education access and affordability for dependent students under the program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' tuition benefits by allowing transfer to family members, strengthening program accessibility and benefit utilization.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans