Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 9851: Expands the veterans' services commission

This bill expands the Veterans' Services Commission by increasing the number of appointed members from thirteen to fifteen and adding several new ex officio members. The changes allow for additional representation from veterans' service organizations, local agency directors, family members of veterans, and individuals with expertise in areas like healthcare, education, and legal issues specific to veterans. The commission will continue to coordinate state agency operations related to veterans' services, study issues affecting veterans and their families, and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature. One of the existing members, including the adjutant general, will be designated as chairperson, and the commission is required to meet at least quarterly. The bill also mandates that the state department maintain a public webpage listing all commission members, their appointment details, and meeting minutes.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands the Veterans' Services Commission by adding members representing veterans and their families, strengthening oversight and support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Senate May 8, 2026

S 10253: 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 HealthcareBill establishes a review to ensure access to health and mental health treatments for veterans, directly advancing patient care.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates a review to ensure veterans access healthcare, mental health treatment, and suicide prevention, directly strengthening veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 10362: Directs the veterans service commission to submit a report regarding coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Directs the veterans service commission to submit a report regarding coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities to the commissioner of veterans' services by April 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs veterans service commission to submit report on coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities, indicating intent to improve and strengthen veteran support systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 10418: Expands the veterans' services commission

This bill expands the New York Veterans' Services Commission by adding two additional voting members and several non-voting ex officio members to improve oversight of veteran services. The legislation requires the governor to appoint fifteen total members, including veterans and individuals with expertise in areas like healthcare, education, and veterans' benefits, while also including state agency heads as non-voting members. Key provisions mandate quarterly meetings, require the commission to study issues affecting veterans and their families, and establish a public website to display member information and meeting minutes. The bill also clarifies appointment processes, term lengths, and the commission's duty to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands Veterans' Services Commission with additional members to improve oversight and services for veterans, directly strengthening veteran support infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 9315: Relates to pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits

Directs the department of veterans' services to conduct pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits available to veterans and their families and how to apply for such benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans to access benefits, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism through targeted rehabilitation support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans on available benefits and application process, improving access to existing services and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 10163: Relates to pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits

Directs the department of veterans' services to conduct pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits available to veterans and their families and how to apply for such benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans on accessing federal/state benefits, improving access to existing support services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 9116: Establishes an instant lottery scratch-off game to fund scholarships for veterans

This bill creates a new instant lottery scratch-off game called the "veterans' benefit game," with all proceeds funding scholarships for veterans through New York's Veterans Tuition Awards Program. The lottery tickets must clearly state that profits support veterans, and the generated funds will be placed into a dedicated "Veterans' Education and Scholarship Fund" managed by the state education department and comptroller. The fund will provide scholarship money directly to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation to administer the veteran tuition program. This establishes a permanent funding source for veteran education benefits through state lottery revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new lottery revenue stream to fund veterans' scholarships, directly increasing state education budget allocation for a specific program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds veterans' education scholarships via dedicated state fund, directly supporting higher education access and expanding educational opportunity for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates lottery to fund veterans' scholarships via dedicated education fund, directly advancing benefits through new revenue stream for existing program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9658: Waives certain licensure fees for veterans

This bill (A 9658) waives renewal fees for vehicle operator licenses for eligible veterans. It directly affects veterans who served in active U.S. military or naval service during a war, were honorably discharged, or were furloughed to the reserve. The bill adds a new rule to vehicle and traffic law requiring license renewal fees to be waived for these veterans. It takes immediate effect and applies to all gender identities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives license renewal fees for eligible veterans, removing financial barriers and directly expanding benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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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

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

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5894: Establishes distinctive "POW-MIA" license plates and establishes the "POW-MIA awareness fund"

Establishes distinctive "POW-MIA" license plates; establishes the "POW-MIA awareness fund" to fund POW-MIA public education and awareness campaigns and veteran services by Rolling Thunder New York chapters and upon approval by the state director of veterans' services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes fund for POW-MIA awareness and veteran services via Rolling Thunder chapters, directly supporting veterans' programs and recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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