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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 No ✗ Opposes Veterans

passed · New York · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 2067: Establishes the veteran career assistance program within the SUNY and CUNY systems

Establishes the veteran career assistance program within the SUNY and CUNY systems to provide veterans with assistance in resume writing and employment placement services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran career assistance program within SUNY/CUNY for resume writing and employment placement, directly supporting veteran employment services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1188: Requires a 120-day warning period for violations at certain veterans' organization facilities

This bill requires a 120-day warning period before municipal or health agencies can impose monetary fines for violations at facilities owned or operated by congressionally chartered veterans' groups (like American Legion posts or VFW halls). During this period, the veterans' group can fix the violation without penalty. The bill allows a written extension request with proof of corrective efforts, but does not apply to immediate life-threatening safety issues or alcohol law violations. It directly affects veterans' organization facilities covered under federal chartering under Title 36 of the U.S. Code.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides 120-day warning period before fines for veterans' facility violations, allowing time to correct issues without penalty, protecting their operational continuity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1919: Eliminates sporting license fees for honorably discharged, disabled veterans

This bill eliminates fees for New York state veterans who are honorably discharged and have a qualifying disability (40%+ service-connected) or meet specific veteran status criteria under the Veterans' Services Law. It directly affects eligible veterans by removing the $765 fee for a lifetime hunting, fishing, and turkey permit license, changing it to $0. The key mechanism updates the environmental conservation law to create a new fee category specifically for these veterans, while maintaining standard fees for other license types. The policy change applies immediately upon enactment, providing permanent fee relief for qualifying veterans purchasing this combined license.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates $765 fee for eligible veterans, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service under Veterans' Services Law95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 8886: Relates to electronic bell jar vending machines

This bill allows licensed veteran organizations and volunteer fire companies to use electronic bell jar vending machines for fundraising. The machines dispense pre-printed tickets with fixed winning prizes and predetermined outcomes, exclusively for members of these groups. Key provisions require machines to be approved by the New York State Gaming Commission, prohibit casino-style operations, and limit use to members of authorized organizations. The bill also mandates that machines must display fixed prize values with no random outcomes, distinguishing them from slot machines. It amends existing laws to regulate these machines while maintaining strict licensing and operational safeguards.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly permits veteran organizations to use fundraising machines, providing new revenue streams to support their services and activities for veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8805: 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 education benefits to eligible family members. It directly affects veterans who served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain discharges) but didn't use their full tuition benefit, enabling them to transfer it to a spouse, child, or surviving financial dependent who lives in New York. Key provisions include requiring children receiving transfers to be under 26, capping annual transfers at 100, and establishing application rules for the transfer process. The bill repeals outdated language about "survivor" definitions and updates eligibility terms to clarify who qualifies for these transferred benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans' families by transferring unused tuition benefits, directly increasing educational funding and opportunity.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' tuition benefits by enabling transfer of unused education awards to family members, directly strengthening program accessibility and benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1200: Allows the granting of academic credit at city or state operated institutions to veterans

This bill (S 1200) allows veterans to earn academic credit at New York State and City University systems for military training they completed. Specifically, full-time undergraduate veterans enrolled in good standing at these institutions can receive full credit toward their degree for military courses meeting American Council on Education standards - without any fees or tuition charges. It applies to veterans who served honorably in active duty, reserves, or New York National Guard/Militia. The law requires university boards to create procedures for implementing this credit transfer.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by granting academic credit for military training without fees, aligning with 'expands educational access' indicator.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly grants veterans academic credit for military training without fees, expanding educational benefits for honorably serving veterans at state institutions.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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