Veterans

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6559: Establishes a veterans' bill of rights

Establishes a veterans' bill of rights; provides sample language for such bill of rights; requires the department of veterans' services to establish and distribute a veterans' bill of rights and to make such bill of rights available on the department's website.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates establishment of veterans' bill of rights, providing formal recognition and protection of veterans' rights through departmental distribution and website availability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4441: Exempts veterans and those on active duty from paying certain fees for travel

Exempts veterans and those on active duty from paying certain fees for travel on the New York world war veterans memorial highway in Essex county or Prospect mountain veteran's memorial highway in Warren county.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from travel fees on memorial highways, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 7038: Relates to issuance of keepsake plates for gold star mothers

Relates to distinctive license plates issued to gold star mothers; permits gold star mothers to retain one keepsake plate as a commemorative item after distinctive plates are surrendered.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows gold star mothers (whose children died in military service) to retain commemorative plates, recognizing military sacrifice and honoring veterans' families.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 1185: Establishes the veterans service organizations fund

Establishes the congressional chartered veterans service organizations fund; provides for gifts made to such fund on an individual's personal income tax return.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a dedicated fund for veterans service organizations with tax-deductible donation mechanism, directly funding veteran programs and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 4744: Increases personal needs allowance amounts

This bill increases monthly personal needs allowances for residents in specific care facilities. It raises the amount from $55 to $140 per month for residents of residential health care facilities (like nursing homes), and from $35 to $89 per month for residents of developmental disability or mental health facilities. Veterans with reduced VA pensions in nursing homes will receive allowances matching their pension amount (capped at $196/month). These changes apply to individuals eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income or state payments, effective January 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state spending on care facility allowances by raising monthly payments, directly funding public services for vulnerable residents.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases monthly allowances for nursing home and mental health facility residents, enhancing financial support for care needs within healthcare facilities.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly increases personal needs allowances for veterans in nursing homes with reduced VA pensions, matching their pension amount (capped at $196).95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8803: Relate to a real property tax exemption for veterans with a one hundred percent service connected disability

This bill creates a new property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. It applies to veterans who were honorably discharged, have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and meet specific criteria like permanent total disability or receipt of VA benefits. The exemption fully removes property taxes and special assessments for qualifying veterans' primary homes, in addition to existing tax benefits. The law takes effect for tax assessments dated October 1, 2026, and does not reduce a property's taxable value below zero.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for veterans, reducing tax burden. Direct tax relief aligns with fiscal policy support for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disability, removing financial burden on primary residence and expanding tax benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9433: Relates to electronic bell jar vending machines

This bill authorizes veteran organizations and volunteer fire companies to use electronic bell jar vending machines for fundraising. The machines dispense pre-printed tickets with predetermined winners and fixed prize values, but must be approved by the New York State Gaming Commission and operate only for members of these organizations. Key safeguards include prohibiting casino-style operations, requiring machines to track sales and report to the commission, and restricting use to licensed groups under strict rules to distinguish them from slot machines. The bill aims to modernize charitable gaming while maintaining oversight and preventing expansion into commercial gambling.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes veteran organizations to use fundraising machines, enabling financial support for their activities.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 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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