Veterans

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10267: Relates to the New York state workforce development board

This bill (A 10267) renames New York’s "workforce investment board" to the "workforce development board" and updates its membership structure. The revised board will have 49 members, including representatives from business (with specific industry sector representation), labor, youth services, community colleges, veterans, and mature workers. The board’s core duty remains assisting the state in implementing federal workforce programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), including developing state plans and performance measures. The changes are administrative, focusing on board composition and naming, not new funding or programs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncludes veterans as a required board member for workforce development, ensuring representation in WIOA program implementation to support veteran employment initiatives.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 9186: Relates to a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road, the New York city transit authority, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for certain armed forces, firefighters, and police

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road, the New York city transit authority, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, to establish a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road, the New York city transit authority, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for certain active duty, reserves, retired armed forces members, firefighters, and police officers.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes free transit access for military/fire/police on MTA systems, expanding public transit benefits for key personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free transit for retired armed forces (veterans) via no-fare program, directly supporting veteran service recognition and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail Roads & Highways

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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

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 9116: Establishes an instant lottery scratch-off game to fund scholarships for veterans

This bill creates a new instant lottery scratch-off game called the "veterans' benefit game," with all proceeds funding scholarships for veterans through New York's Veterans Tuition Awards Program. The lottery tickets must clearly state that profits support veterans, and the generated funds will be placed into a dedicated "Veterans' Education and Scholarship Fund" managed by the state education department and comptroller. The fund will provide scholarship money directly to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation to administer the veteran tuition program. This establishes a permanent funding source for veteran education benefits through state lottery revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new lottery revenue stream to fund veterans' scholarships, directly increasing state education budget allocation for a specific program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds veterans' education scholarships via dedicated state fund, directly supporting higher education access and expanding educational opportunity for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates lottery to fund veterans' scholarships via dedicated education fund, directly advancing benefits through new revenue stream for existing program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 9235: Relates to eligibility for military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships

Clarifies the definition of severe and permanent disability for eligibility for military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies disability definition for MERIT scholarships, expanding eligibility for veteran benefits and recognition programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 10242: Relates to former patients interred at present and former state mental health hospital cemeteries

This bill requires New York State to make burial records for former patients interred at state mental health hospital cemeteries freely available to the public. It mandates that records include name, birth/death dates, burial location, military service details, and family relationships, with no fees charged for access. The law also requires maintaining public cemetery maps, posting informational signs at cemeteries, and permanently preserving all burial records - including those for historical institutions like Utica State Hospital and Willard Asylum. These records are explicitly separated from clinical patient files under the law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates inclusion of military service details in burial records, directly recognizing veterans' service through public access to historical military information.90% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

J 1666: Recognizing the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District for its ongoing mission to preserve the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment

This Senate Resolution (J 1666) formally recognizes the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District, for its work preserving the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The resolution highlights the regiment's distinguished service in World War I as a segregated African American unit that fought under the French Army, earned high honors, and suffered significant casualties while never losing ground. The legislature adopted the resolution to commend the Association's community outreach - such as supporting youth programs and assisting veterans - and will send a copy to the Association as a formal gesture of appreciation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransResolution formally recognizes veterans' historical contributions and preserves regiment history, aligning with recognition indicators in veteran policy support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 9099: Establishes the veterans' services organization capital support program

Establishes the veterans' services organization capital support program to provide funding for payment of the capital costs of construction, improvement, repairs, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of certain facilities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides funding for capital costs of veterans' facilities, directly supporting infrastructure for veteran services organizations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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passed · New York · Assembly Feb 4, 2026

K 924: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 3, 2026, as Four Chaplains Day in the State of New York

This resolution requests Governor Hochul to issue a proclamation designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in New York State. It commemorates the 83rd anniversary of the 1943 sinking of the U.S. Army transport Dorchester, honoring four chaplains of different faiths who gave their life jackets to soldiers and died together. The resolution recognizes their interfaith heroism and the historical significance of the event, including their posthumous military awards. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCommemorates veterans' service via designated day honoring chaplains' sacrifice, aligning with recognition aspect of veteran policy topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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