Veterans

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 · 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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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 9351: Relates to the issuance of license plates for disabled veterans

This bill adds a new eligibility category for special disabled veteran license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing them to qualify for these plates under existing rules. The key change is adding paragraph (e) to the vehicle law, which explicitly includes VA-rated 100% disabled veterans alongside other qualifying conditions like certified physical impairments or blindness. This expands access to the program without altering current requirements for other disability categories.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands access to disabled veteran license plates by adding VA 100% disabled veterans to eligibility, directly enhancing a benefit recognition program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 7627: Relates to the availability of information on home care services

Authorizes the Department of Veterans' Services to consult and collaborate with relevant offices in the federal department of veterans affairs, the department of health, the state office for the aging and other HCBS experts to develop educational materials for veterans and their families about the accessibility to home and community-based services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes collaboration to develop educational materials improving veterans' access to home care services and community-based care options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 6001: Relates to the issuance of pool and health memberships to disabled veterans at certain SUNY and CUNY campuses

Requires that the state university of New York's board of trustees and the city university of New York's board of trustees shall each adopt a policy requiring all state university of New York, city university of New York, college, and community college campuses that offer membership programs to the general public for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities, to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other charges, or at a discounted rate; defines "disabled veteran".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates SUNY/CUNY campuses to provide disabled veterans equal access to fitness/aquatic facilities, expanding benefits and services for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 8440: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Sgt Henry Johnson

Dedicates the bridge located on Interstate 90, designated as Bridge Number 1092839, which crosses over the Hudson River in the cities of Albany and Rensselaer to Sgt Henry Johnson.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill dedicates a bridge to Sgt Henry Johnson (veteran), providing recognition per topic description's 'recognition' indicator.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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