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 absent

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6741: Creates the New York state entrepreneurial training act

S 6741 establishes the New York State Entrepreneurial Training Act, creating a grant program to support and train entrepreneurial candidates. The Empire State Development Corporation formulates the program, which is then administered by individual participating cities and towns, awarding grants competitively to eligible applicants who submit business plans. The bill mandates that at least 20% of participants be certified minority and women's business enterprises and 10% be military veterans. It also allocates specific funding to cities and towns based on population, with funds designated for both program operation and direct grants to successful graduates.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates 10% veteran participation in entrepreneurial training program, directly supporting veteran employment opportunities through targeted inclusion.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 absent

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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 7002: Designates a portion of the state highway system as the "General Colin Powell Thruway"

This bill designates a specific segment of Interstate 87 (from Yonkers to Guilderland) as the "General Colin Powell Thruway" for ceremonial purposes only. It requires new signage but explicitly states the official highway name will remain unchanged, avoiding disruption to commerce or navigation. The bill does not alter transportation policies or affect any specific people or groups beyond commemorating General Colin Powell. The designation is purely symbolic and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill commemorates General Colin Powell (a veteran) via highway naming, directly aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' indicator in topic description.90% 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 absent

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 2068: Establishes an active service exemption

Authorizes municipalities to offer a real property tax exemption for active military service members who at any time during the taxable year performed active duty in the armed forces in a combat zone; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for military members, providing tax relief. Aligns with support indicators for tax relief in Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransTax exemption for combat zone service recognizes military sacrifice, directly supporting veterans through financial benefit95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 12, 2025

A 4649: Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States

Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States; provides that such certificates shall be forwarded to the appropriate local veterans' service agency within 60 days of receipt.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates timely forwarding of veteran service certificates to agencies, facilitating access to benefits and services without delay.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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