This bill expands property tax exemptions for disabled veterans by removing the requirement that they must have served during a "period of war." It directly affects veterans with a 60% or higher service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, regardless of when they served. The key mechanism amends the legal definition of "veteran" to include these individuals without needing proof of wartime service. This change ensures eligible disabled veterans qualify for the tax break based solely on their disability rating and honorable service, effective for property tax assessments starting August 30, 2008.
This bill creates a program allowing courts to offer veterans and active service members accused of certain non-violent felonies (excluding sex offenses and specific violent crimes) an alternative to standard sentencing. It requires courts to assess whether the individual's military service contributed to their crime through a court-approved evaluation for conditions like PTSD or substance abuse. If eligible, defendants receive treatment instead of jail time, with the court considering if their service-related condition played a role in the offense. The program aims to address gaps in mental health care for veterans within the criminal justice system.
This bill (S 2723) allows veterans to use state-owned cabins and cottages in public recreation areas without paying fees, effective immediately. It directly affects veterans who use these facilities, permitting free access under the same terms as the general public but limiting use to 14 days per year. The key provision amends state parks law to remove fees for veterans (and certain other groups like Gold Star families) at designated public recreation sites. It does not change existing fee structures for non-veteran visitors. The bill was recently referred to the Veterans committee for further consideration.
Establishes a legal services veterans tax credit of up to $1,500 for any attorney who performs a minimum of fifty hours of pro bono legal services to a veteran or disabled veteran during a taxable year; provides that such services shall include, but not be limited to, veteran's benefits and appeals, military discharges and upgrades, public benefits, evictions and foreclosures, and consumer debt issues.
Requires employers to offer paid leave of absence to veterans on Veterans' day, except for emergency or critical employees, who shall be offered another day of paid leave.
Creates a veteran's home and land ownership loan program to provide loans to veterans to purchase homes or unimproved land suitable for building; requires such loans to be secured by a second mortgage.
Relates to providing veterans' housing; requires state agencies that provide shelter to homeless veterans to do so based on federal housing first principles without preconditions or barriers.
This bill expands New York's property tax exemption for veterans to include active-duty military members. It defines "active military service" to cover full-time duty in all U.S. military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), allowing currently serving personnel to qualify. Local governments must adopt separate resolutions after public hearings to extend the exemption to these active-duty members, distinct from existing veteran exemptions. The changes apply to property tax assessments starting January 1 after the bill takes effect.
This bill creates New York's Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness Program, providing eligible veterans with up to $10,000 annually toward student loan debt for up to five years (capping at $50,000 total). It directly affects New York resident veterans who: graduated from a New York college/university, hold student loans from that degree, work full-time in New York, agree to reside in the state for five years, and have no prior federal loan forgiveness. Priority is given to veterans with a 40%+ disability rating from military service or documented economic hardship. The program is funded through state appropriations, with awards disbursed competitively based on established eligibility rules.
Grants a combat veteran tax credit for entrepreneurs to provide a five hundred dollar tax credit to combat veteran entrepreneurs who create a business in New York state.
