Veterans

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 8886: Relates to electronic bell jar vending machines

This bill allows licensed veteran organizations and volunteer fire companies to use electronic bell jar vending machines for fundraising. The machines dispense pre-printed tickets with fixed winning prizes and predetermined outcomes, exclusively for members of these groups. Key provisions require machines to be approved by the New York State Gaming Commission, prohibit casino-style operations, and limit use to members of authorized organizations. The bill also mandates that machines must display fixed prize values with no random outcomes, distinguishing them from slot machines. It amends existing laws to regulate these machines while maintaining strict licensing and operational safeguards.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly permits veteran organizations to use fundraising machines, providing new revenue streams to support their services and activities for veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8805: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program; repealer

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program by allowing qualified veterans to transfer unused education benefits to eligible family members. It directly affects veterans who served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain discharges) but didn't use their full tuition benefit, enabling them to transfer it to a spouse, child, or surviving financial dependent who lives in New York. Key provisions include requiring children receiving transfers to be under 26, capping annual transfers at 100, and establishing application rules for the transfer process. The bill repeals outdated language about "survivor" definitions and updates eligibility terms to clarify who qualifies for these transferred benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans' families by transferring unused tuition benefits, directly increasing educational funding and opportunity.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' tuition benefits by enabling transfer of unused education awards to family members, directly strengthening program accessibility and benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 1334: Relates to establishing discount programs for veterans

Relates to establishing discount programs for veterans; provides that utilities, waterworks corporations, telephone corporations and cable television companies shall create discount programs that provide a 10 percent discount to veterans; defines terms.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates 10% discounts for veterans on utilities, phone, and cable services, expanding benefits as a direct veteran support measure.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 7115: Relates to supplemental military retirement allowances for members of public retirement systems of the state

This bill establishes a supplemental military retirement allowance for members of public retirement systems who retired before May 31, 2017, and would have been eligible for military service credit. Eligible retirees can apply by December 31, 2025, to receive an additional monthly payment based on their military service credit and retirement allowance, replacing other military service benefits. The allowance is calculated as a percentage of their retirement benefit and is added to their monthly payment. The bill also ensures that this new supplemental allowance is included when calculating cost-of-living adjustments for various public retirement systems, and surviving spouses may receive a portion of the benefit.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes supplemental retirement allowance for veterans, adding monthly payments based on military service credit to enhance existing retirement benefits.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 7831: Allows for certain participants in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to be eligible for disability benefits

Allows for participants in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations who were not members of a New York state retirement system at the time of such participation but who are now currently active members in such retirement systems to be eligible for disability benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands disability benefits eligibility for WTC responders, directly advancing worker benefits under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands disability benefits eligibility to 9/11 WTC rescue workers, a group typically covered under veterans' benefits programs, advancing veteran-related disability support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 absent

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