Veterans

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 8476: Enacts the governing unaccredited representatives defrauding (GUARD) VA benefits act

Protects veterans from fraud and unaccredited representatives; institutes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violation; establishes the class A misdemeanor crime of unaccredited representation of a veteran; establishes a veterans' services fund.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates civil penalties and misdemeanor crimes to prevent fraud against VA benefits, establishes a veterans' services fund, and directly protects veterans' access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7300: Relates to a "Campaign Medal for Service" to be awarded to those who have provided military service in Iraq

This bill creates the "Campaign Medal for Service" to honor New York residents or former residents who served in active duty in Iraq with the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard). It authorizes the governor to award the medal to eligible individuals who completed their service with an honorable record, limiting recipients to one medal per person. The law also specifies that the medal may be presented to a designated representative of a deceased recipient and outlines requirements for the medal's design and ribbon. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on establishing this commemorative award without altering other policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates a medal to honor New York veterans who served in Iraq, directly recognizing military service as a key indicator of support for veterans' recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 1250: Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"

Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables veterans to earn college credit for military training, expanding higher education access at SUNY/CUNY institutions.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides academic credit recognition for veterans' military training, advancing educational benefits and easing college transition for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7250: Increases the amount combat veterans shall be exempt from real property taxation to thirty-five percent

This bill increases the real property tax exemption for combat veterans from 10% to 35% of their property's assessed value. It directly affects veterans who served in combat zones and received specific military medals (like campaign ribbons or expeditionary medals). The exemption is capped at $40,000 or the equivalent based on local tax rates, whichever is lower. The change applies to properties assessed on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption for combat veterans, providing targeted tax relief to lower-income veterans, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases combat veterans' property tax exemption from 10% to 35%, expanding financial benefits and recognizing service through tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5943: Provides veterans of the armed forces of the United States access to all state parks and recreational facilities without the charge of any admission

Bill A 5943 provides veterans of the United States armed forces with free access to all state parks and recreational facilities. Under this bill, eligible veterans can obtain a lifetime pass that grants them admission without charge. These passes will be available at regional park headquarters and other designated locations. The relevant state office is responsible for determining the pass's form and developing the necessary rules for its implementation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free state park access via lifetime pass, expanding veteran benefits and recognizing service per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4302: Relates to free use of state park pavilions by recognized veterans' organization

This bill (A 4302) grants recognized veterans' organizations free access to rent pavilions at state parks, recreational facilities, and historic sites. It requires state agencies to allow these groups to use pavilions under the same terms as the general public but without charging any rental fees or other fees. The provision applies to all pavilions managed by the state parks office or other relevant agencies. This is a direct policy change affecting eligible veterans' organizations by removing a financial barrier to using state facilities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransGrants free pavilion access to veterans' orgs, removing fees as direct benefit to recognized groups per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4597: Directs the division of veterans' services to establish a searchable database of veteran-owned businesses

Directs the division of veterans' services to establish a searchable database of veteran-owned businesses; requires the use of a special mark to indicate service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates searchable database for veteran-owned businesses, including service-disabled veterans, directly supporting veteran employment and recognition initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 7129: Relates to veterans health care

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health treatment, PTSD care, and suicide prevention services, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates a veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention treatment, directly advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5674: Relates to a leave of absence for veterans on Veterans Day

This bill requires New York employers to grant veterans unpaid leave on Veterans Day (November 11) if the employee provides written proof of veteran status by October 15. It applies to veterans who are New York residents, honorably discharged U.S. military members, or lawful permanent residents. Employers may deny the leave only if it causes undue hardship, and the leave must be taken as unpaid time off or charged against existing accrued leave. The policy does not affect employees covered by specific public officer laws or override existing union agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires unpaid leave for veterans on Veterans Day, expanding workplace leave benefits for a specific worker group, aligning with worker protection policies.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employer leave on Veterans Day for eligible veterans, directly recognizing service and advancing veteran recognition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2143: Awards high school diplomas to veterans; repealer

S 2143 allows veterans who served in the U.S. military under honorable conditions but couldn't complete high school to receive a high school diploma based on their military experience. It repeals outdated provisions and creates a program where the education commissioner develops a process to award diplomas to eligible veterans. The bill directly affects veterans who were unable to finish secondary education due to military service, regardless of the conflict they served in. This replaces prior law that only covered World War II veterans, expanding eligibility to all qualifying veterans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for veterans to earn high school diplomas missed due to military service, expanding educational access for a specific group within K-12 education framework.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides high school diplomas to veterans who served honorably but couldn't complete education, directly expanding educational benefits and recognizing service through credentialing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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