Veterans

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3464: Eliminates sporting license fees for honorably discharged, disabled veterans

This bill eliminates all fees for lifetime sporting licenses (hunting, fishing, trapping, archery, and muzzle-loading) for honorably discharged veterans certified with a 40% or greater service-connected disability. It directly affects eligible veterans by adding a new $0.00 fee category to the existing license structure under Section 11-0702 of the environmental conservation law. The key mechanism modifies the fee schedule to specify that this group pays no fee for lifetime licenses, while other categories (like standard age-based fees) remain unchanged. The policy change is permanent upon enactment, as the bill takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates fees for veterans with 40%+ disability, directly expanding benefits through fee exemption for sporting licenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7185: Authorizes guidelines for granting contracts to disabled veterans eligible under the home for heroes program

This bill creates the "Access to Home for Heroes Program" to provide grants for modifying homes to make them accessible for disabled veterans in New York. It directly affects disabled veterans certified by the VA or DoD (with income under 120% of area median income) whose primary residence needs adaptations. Key provisions include: grants up to $500,000 per project for home modifications, requiring eligible nonprofit applicants to submit detailed plans, and limiting municipal funding to 50% of annual allocations. The program must be completed within three years (extendable by two years), with up to 7.5% of funds allowed for administrative costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds home modifications for disabled veterans' accessibility through targeted grants, directly supporting housing needs for vulnerable residents under income thresholds.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates grants for home modifications for disabled veterans certified by VA/DoD, directly funding accessibility adaptations under the Home for Heroes program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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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

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 11, 2025

K 765: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2-8, 2025, as Veterans Awareness Week in the State of New York

This bill is a symbolic resolution requesting Governor Hochul to declare November 2-8, 2025, as Veterans Awareness Week in New York State. It asks the Governor to formally recognize this week-long observance - the week before Veterans Day (November 11) - to encourage broader public appreciation for veterans. The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect individuals; it is a procedural request for the Governor to issue a proclamation. The intent is to allow schools, veteran organizations, and communities to focus on veterans' service beyond the single Veterans Day holiday.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSymbolic recognition of veterans via designated awareness week, aligning with support indicator for public appreciation of veteran service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3450: Relates to defining "period of war" for the alternative veterans' exemption

This bill expands the definition of "period of war" for a veterans' property tax exemption to include recent military service. It adds specific conflicts: the Global War on Terrorism (starting September 11, 2001), and U.S. military operations in Somalia (1992-1994), Bosnia (1995-2004), and Kosovo (1999-1999) to the existing list. Veterans who served during these newly defined periods will now qualify for the tax exemption. The change directly affects veterans whose service falls within these added conflict dates. The bill amends existing law to clarify which military service periods count for the exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption for veterans, providing tax relief by reducing taxable property value for qualifying service periods.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption eligibility to include recent conflicts, directly increasing veterans' benefit access for more service periods.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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failed · New York · Assembly May 27, 2026

A 819: Eliminates the photo image fee for veterans who have their license amended with a veteran notation

This bill eliminates the photo image fee for veterans who update their driver's license or state ID card to include a veteran notation. It specifically removes the fee when the only change is adding the veteran designation, which identifies the holder as a U.S. armed forces veteran. The policy applies directly to veterans seeking this license/ID amendment, ensuring no fee is charged for this specific notation. The change affects all veterans meeting the criteria under existing law, streamlining the process for this administrative update.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates fee for veteran ID notation, removing financial barrier to recognition of military service per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6504: Establishes the veteran career assistance program within the SUNY and CUNY systems

Establishes the veteran career assistance program within the SUNY and CUNY systems to provide veterans with assistance in resume writing and employment placement services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran career assistance program with resume/employment services at SUNY/CUNY, directly supporting veteran employment placement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4509: Includes certain veterans in the definition of resident as it relates to community colleges and state-aided four-year colleges

Includes active duty military and certain veterans going to college under the new GI bill in the definition of resident as it relates to community colleges and state-aided four-year colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by including them in residency definition for community colleges and state-aided four-year colleges.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill extends in-state tuition benefits to veterans under GI Bill, directly expanding educational access and financial support for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4765: Establishes the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act" to establish tax free savings accounts to pay the healthcare costs of certain combat veterans until covered by the federal government

Establishes the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act" to establish tax free savings accounts to pay the healthcare costs of combat veterans on active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, until covered by the federal government; directs the division of military and naval affairs to establish a registry of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax-free savings accounts for veterans' healthcare, providing direct tax relief. Explicitly addresses tax policy as part of fiscal management for targeted healthcare costs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax-free savings accounts to cover combat veterans' healthcare costs until federal coverage begins, expanding access for a specific group through dedicated funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax-free savings accounts for combat veterans' healthcare costs until federal coverage, directly expanding benefits and improving access to care for specific veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3326: Establishes the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act" to establish tax free savings accounts to pay the healthcare costs of certain combat veterans until covered by the federal government

Establishes the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act" to establish tax free savings accounts to pay the healthcare costs of combat veterans on active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, until covered by the federal government; directs the division of military and naval affairs to establish a registry of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax-free savings accounts for veterans' healthcare, providing direct tax relief as a fiscal measure to fund a specific healthcare program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax-free savings accounts for combat veterans' healthcare costs until federal coverage, expanding access to health services for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax-free savings accounts for combat veterans' healthcare costs until federal coverage, directly expanding healthcare access and benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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