Veterans

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 · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 7942: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Lieutenant Roland "The Gator" Ward

This bill ceremonially dedicates a specific segment of State Route 42 in Fallsburg, Sullivan County (from Railroad Plaza to 5286-5288 Main Street) to honor Lieutenant Roland "The Gator" Ward. It requires installing commemorative signage but explicitly states the highway's official name will not change. The dedication is purely symbolic, with no alteration to the road's legal designation or impact on transportation operations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via symbolic highway dedication, aligning with recognition as a support indicator per topic description.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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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 | 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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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6661: Establishes the New York state veterans cemetery act

Establishes the "New York state veterans cemetery act"; directs the division to conduct an investigation and study on the issue of the establishment of a New York state veterans cemetery funding program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs study to establish veterans cemetery funding program, advancing recognition and services for veterans through dedicated state cemetery initiative.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7642: Relates to excluding the five New York state veterans homes from certain assessments

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes state veterans homes from gross receipts assessments, providing tax relief to public facilities under Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes veterans homes from financial assessments on patient care income, protecting operational funding for healthcare services provided at these facilities.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veterans homes from income assessments, preserving funding for services and operations per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4358: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition award program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or survivor. It defines "qualified veteran" as someone who would qualify for the award if they met enrollment requirements, and specifies who counts as an "eligible immediate family" member. Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award, with transfers limited to children under 26 who meet service requirements (e.g., veteran served 10+ years unless discharged due to death or specific conditions). The bill caps annual transfers at 100 and requires veterans to designate beneficiaries via a form before the program's effective date in 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands veterans' tuition benefits to family members, increasing higher education access and affordability for dependent students under the program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' tuition benefits by allowing transfer to family members, strengthening program accessibility and benefit utilization.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 291: Includes the space force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits

Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly extends existing veteran benefits to Space Force members, expanding eligibility for benefits available to other veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 5155: 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 creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention services, expanding coverage and access for veterans95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, suicide prevention, and reproductive care, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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