Veterans

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 31, 2026

A 10742: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to East Fishkill veterans

This bill dedicates a specific section of State Route 376 in East Fishkill to honor local veterans. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the route as "Highway Dedicated to East Fishkill Veterans." While the dedication is ceremonial, the official name of the highway will remain unchanged to prevent confusion and avoid disrupting commerce. The changes apply only to the portion of the road between State Route 82 and State Route 52 within Dutchess County.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors veterans by dedicating a highway section to them, providing public recognition and commemoration of their service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 3397: Revises the New York state veteran's memorial and monument registry

Revises the New York state veteran's memorial and monument registry such that it is easier to navigate; relates to the updating and availability of the registry.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill revises veteran memorial registry for easier navigation, supporting recognition of service through improved access to memorials.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 11225: Relates to contracts by service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises

This bill updates the statewide goal for service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises to secure eight percent of state contracts, increasing the current target of six percent. The change directly affects state procurement departments and veteran-owned businesses by raising the participation benchmark they are expected to meet. By amending the veterans' services law, the legislation sets a new numerical target for future contract awards without altering the underlying process for selecting vendors.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases the statewide goal for veteran-owned business contracts from 6% to 8%, directly strengthening economic opportunities for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10267: Relates to the New York state workforce development board

This bill (A 10267) renames New York’s "workforce investment board" to the "workforce development board" and updates its membership structure. The revised board will have 49 members, including representatives from business (with specific industry sector representation), labor, youth services, community colleges, veterans, and mature workers. The board’s core duty remains assisting the state in implementing federal workforce programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), including developing state plans and performance measures. The changes are administrative, focusing on board composition and naming, not new funding or programs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncludes veterans as a required board member for workforce development, ensuring representation in WIOA program implementation to support veteran employment initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 3223: Allows veterans to fish for free in state parks

This bill (A 3223) would allow eligible veterans to fish for free in all state parks managed by state agencies. It specifically covers veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge, including those with qualifying conditions or specific LGBT veteran status as defined in existing law. The state office responsible for parks would need to create rules to implement this free access, with the policy taking effect 90 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free fishing access in state parks to eligible veterans, expanding a benefit for recognized veterans per their service status.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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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 both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8968: Relates to establishing a veteran suicide mortality review board

Establishes a 13 member veteran suicide mortality review board to serve as the statewide entity responsible for the multidisciplinary review of suicide deaths among veterans by identifying trends and systemic factors contributing to veteran suicide; assessing gaps in services, access to care, and institutional practices; developing evidence-based recommendations for prevention and policy improvement; and promoting collaboration among relevant state, local, and federal agencies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a review board to identify suicide trends, gaps in services, and develop prevention recommendations for veterans, directly strengthening veteran healthcare and suicide prevention efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6037: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

Bill A 6037 establishes a peer support program specifically for veterans dealing with mental illness, alcohol abuse, or substance dependence. The bill defines "veteran peer support services" as counseling provided by a veteran peer counselor to other veterans. It directs the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, in consultation with other agencies, to develop recommended minimum qualifications for these veteran peer counselors and to create procedures for connecting them with training. This program aims to support veterans by leveraging the unique understanding and experiences of fellow veterans in recovery and support roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a mental health peer support program for veterans, directly advancing mental health services through specialized counseling and certification procedures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes veteran peer support program for mental health/substance abuse, directing development of counselor qualifications and training procedures to advance healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 5578: Extends eligibility for real property tax exemptions to certain veterans

This bill expands real property tax exemptions to veterans who served in designated combat zones or theaters of operation. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their service through specific military documents, such as discharge papers, campaign medals, or records showing they received hostile fire pay. If eligible, the bill allows these veterans to reduce their property taxes by up to ten percent of their home's assessed value, with a maximum benefit capped at eight thousand dollars. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to qualifying residential properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends real property tax exemption for veterans, providing direct tax relief per legislative intent.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends tax exemption benefits to specific veterans, expanding eligibility for a financial benefit related to service recognition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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