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 · 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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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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