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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 6283: Relates to the state cannabis advisory board

This bill adds a non-voting representative from the division of service-disabled veterans' business development to the state cannabis advisory board. The amendment specifies that this new member, alongside existing non-voting department representatives, will join the board's thirteen voting members. The change does not alter the board's voting structure or policy authority but expands the advisory group's composition to include veterans' business development expertise. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on board membership composition with no direct policy changes to cannabis regulation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds veterans' business development representative to cannabis board, integrating veteran expertise into advisory process to support veteran employment initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 6274: Relates to preferences under the affordable home ownership development program for veterans with service-related disabilities

Relates to preferences under the affordable home ownership development program for veterans with service-related disabilities; defines "veteran with a service-related disability".

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates preference for veterans with service-related disabilities in affordable home ownership program, advancing access to affordable housing for a vulnerable group.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides housing preferences for veterans with service-related disabilities, expanding access to affordable home ownership benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9476: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program; repealer

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program by allowing qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to eligible family members, including spouses, children, or financially dependent survivors. It defines "eligible immediate family member" and sets key rules: transfers are one-time only, children receiving benefits must be under 26, and annual transfers are capped at 100. Veterans must formally designate beneficiaries through a prescribed process, and transfers cannot exceed the original award amount. The changes take effect in 2027, building on prior legislative proposals to enhance support for veterans' families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by allowing veterans to transfer tuition benefits to family members, increasing educational opportunity under the veterans' program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' tuition benefits by enabling transfer to family members, strengthening program access and support for veterans' families.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Veterans

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8785: Relates to voluntary opportunities for veterans

Requires the department of veterans' services to consult with the office of fire prevention and control and the department of health to identify the most effective ways to provide useful information to veterans about available volunteer opportunities with local volunteer fire departments and emergency services providers.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill facilitates veteran access to volunteer opportunities with fire departments, recognizing service and encouraging continued community involvement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Veterans

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9433: Relates to electronic bell jar vending machines

This bill authorizes veteran organizations and volunteer fire companies to use electronic bell jar vending machines for fundraising. The machines dispense pre-printed tickets with predetermined winners and fixed prize values, but must be approved by the New York State Gaming Commission and operate only for members of these organizations. Key safeguards include prohibiting casino-style operations, requiring machines to track sales and report to the commission, and restricting use to licensed groups under strict rules to distinguish them from slot machines. The bill aims to modernize charitable gaming while maintaining oversight and preventing expansion into commercial gambling.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes veteran organizations to use fundraising machines, enabling financial support for their activities.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans