Veterans

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 4744: Increases personal needs allowance amounts

This bill increases monthly personal needs allowances for residents in specific care facilities. It raises the amount from $55 to $140 per month for residents of residential health care facilities (like nursing homes), and from $35 to $89 per month for residents of developmental disability or mental health facilities. Veterans with reduced VA pensions in nursing homes will receive allowances matching their pension amount (capped at $196/month). These changes apply to individuals eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income or state payments, effective January 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state spending on care facility allowances by raising monthly payments, directly funding public services for vulnerable residents.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases monthly allowances for nursing home and mental health facility residents, enhancing financial support for care needs within healthcare facilities.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly increases personal needs allowances for veterans in nursing homes with reduced VA pensions, matching their pension amount (capped at $196).95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 2070: Requires the department of veterans' services to establish and maintain a database of resources available in the state for veterans, members of the uniformed services, and their families

Requires the department of veterans' services to establish and maintain, in consultation and collaboration with other state agencies, a searchable database on the department's website providing resources available in the state for veterans, members of the uniformed services, and their families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates creation of searchable database for veterans' resources, improving access to existing services without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1688: Relates to designating the fourth Thursday in March as "Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day"

This bill designates the fourth Thursday in March as "Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the existing list of official commemorative days in the state's law, which already includes days honoring figures like Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. The bill does not create new programs or funding - it simply establishes a recognized day to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in U.S. history. The designation applies statewide to all government and educational institutions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates commemoration day honoring Tuskegee Airmen veterans, directly recognizing their service per topic indicators for support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 8790: Establishes the combat zone service exemption

Authorizes municipalities to offer a real property tax exemption for combat zone service members who at any time during the taxable year performed active duty in the armed forces in a combat zone; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates real property tax exemption for combat zone service members, providing targeted tax relief that aligns with supporting tax policy for specific groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tax exemption for combat veterans, directly expanding benefits and recognizing service through municipal property tax relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

passed · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 3443: Designates March 25, "Medal of Honor Day", as a day of commemoration

This bill designates March 25 as "Medal of Honor Day" in New York State, adding it to the official list of days of commemoration. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups; instead, it formally recognizes this date for honoring recipients of the Medal of Honor. The bill amends existing law to include this designation without altering any substantive rights, obligations, or funding. As a procedural measure, it requires no further action beyond the state's calendar of recognized observances.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates March 25 as Medal of Honor Day to honor recipients, directly recognizing veterans' service as part of state commemoration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1787: Relates to a state flag for raising awareness of veteran suicide

Provides that the "Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag" shall be the official state flag for the raising of awareness of veteran suicide; directs the commissioner of general services to establish a protocol for the flying of such flag.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates an official flag for veteran suicide awareness, promoting recognition and support for veterans' mental health challenges.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2640: Includes veterans in the definition of military status for purposes of unlawful discrimination

This bill amends New York's law to explicitly include veterans in the legal definition of "military status." It expands the current definition - which already covers active military service - to protect veterans who have completed their service from unlawful discrimination. The key change adds the phrase "a person's participation in the military service... if such person has been released from such service" to the existing definition. This means veterans will now be covered under the same anti-discrimination protections that apply to active-duty military personnel. The change applies to all areas governed by this law, including employment and housing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands anti-discrimination protections to cover veterans in employment, strengthening workers' rights under Labor & Employment by adding veterans to protected classes.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands anti-discrimination protections to cover veterans by amending military status definition, strengthening legal safeguards for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 2289: Expands the veterans' preference to include veterans who did not serve during a time of war for certain housing

Bill S 2289 expands the eligibility for veterans' preference in Mitchell-Lama housing projects. Currently, this preference is available to veterans who served during a time of war. This bill removes that wartime service requirement, making the housing preference available to all veterans and their surviving spouses as defined by the civil service law. This change applies to projects with open waiting lists and will be implemented when closed lists reopen. The bill also maintains that current residents have first priority for internal transfers within their existing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands veterans' housing preference to all veterans, increasing access to affordable Mitchell-Lama housing projects.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' housing preference to all veterans (not just wartime), increasing access to affordable housing benefits as defined in civil service law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 6840: Increases the amount of years of military service credit a member may purchase

Increases the amount of years of military service credit a member may purchase from three years to four years; provides that the provisions of such act shall not be subject to the requirement that the state shall make an equal payment to the retirement system.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases military service credit purchase from 3 to 4 years, expanding retirement benefits for veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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