Veterans

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 · 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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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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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 9308: Authorizes a distinctive "North Country Honor Flight" license plate; establishes the North Country Honor Flight fund

This bill authorizes a special "North Country Honor Flight" license plate for vehicles in the state, requiring an additional $25 annual fee on top of regular registration. The fee structure directs the first $6,000 collected each year to the state's distinctive plate development fund, with any excess funds deposited into the "North Country Honor Flight fund." This fund, managed by the state's finance and comptroller offices, will be used exclusively to support the North Country Honor Flight organization, which arranges free trips for veterans to visit war memorials. The bill creates a sustainable funding mechanism for the veterans' program through license plate sales, without requiring upfront state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $25 annual license plate fee with funds directed to Honor Flight fund, advancing fiscal management for a specific program through new revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates dedicated fund via license plate fees to support Honor Flight, which provides veteran memorial trips. Directly funds veteran service organization.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 4213: Relates to establishing distinctive "Women Veterans" license plates and the women veterans support fund

Relates to establishing distinctive "Women Veterans" plates and the women veterans support fund; establishes that moneys of the fund will be used for women veteran homelessness, counseling and other programs that support women veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates fund from license plate revenue to support women veterans' programs, allocating existing government funds to specific services without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds programs addressing women veteran homelessness, a housing-related need per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes fund for women veterans' homelessness, counseling, and support programs, directly funding veteran services per bill summary.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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