Veterans

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5437: Extends the pilot program to examine the effects of waiving the state civil service examination fee

Bill A 5437 extends a pilot program waiving state civil service exam application fees until December 31, 2027, originally set to expire in 2025. The program currently waives fees for unemployed job seekers primarily responsible for household support or receiving public assistance, as well as veterans with honorable military discharges (including specific categories like discharged LGBT veterans). This extension applies to all civil service examinations held between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2027, without changing existing eligibility rules. The bill maintains the current fee waiver structure while expanding its duration by two years.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with honorable discharges as beneficiaries of fee waiver for civil service exams, advancing veteran employment access.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 783: Relates to the effectiveness of chapter 565 of the laws of 2022 amending the state finance law relating to preferred source status for entities that provide employment to certain persons

This bill makes permanent a 2022 law that grants "preferred source status" to businesses providing employment to certain persons (like veterans or individuals with disabilities) when those businesses bid on state government contracts. It removes the original 3-year expiration date from the 2022 law, ensuring the preferred status remains in effect indefinitely. The provision directly affects state government contractors who employ these specific groups, giving them priority in procurement processes. It does not create new eligibility criteria but extends the existing rule permanently. The law applies to new contracts issued after the effective date, not to existing contracts or requests for proposals.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill grants permanent preferred source status to businesses employing veterans (explicitly named as a qualifying group), prioritizing them in state contracts to support veteran employment opportunities.90% confidence

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4441: Exempts veterans and those on active duty from paying certain fees for travel

Exempts veterans and those on active duty from paying certain fees for travel on the New York world war veterans memorial highway in Essex county or Prospect mountain veteran's memorial highway in Warren county.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from travel fees on memorial highways, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9176: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to LCpl. Joseph Bailey

This bill designates a specific bridge on State Route 39 in Gainesville, Wyoming County (bridge number 46021130) as "Bridge Dedicated to LCpl. Joseph Bailey" for ceremonial recognition. It requires installing commemorative signage but explicitly states the bridge's official name will remain unchanged and this dedication will not disrupt highway operations. The bill is purely symbolic, honoring LCpl. Joseph Bailey without altering transportation infrastructure or official designations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSymbolic bridge dedication honors veteran service, directly aligning with recognition aspect of veterans' policies per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 3845: Establishes the psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program for veterans and first responders and a psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program fund; appropriation

Establishes the psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program; provides such program will be offered to veterans and first responders from New York state; establishes a psilocybin assisted therapy pilot program fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated fund for a pilot program via appropriation, directly allocating state budget resources to fund a new initiative for veterans and first responders.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a mental health therapy pilot program for veterans, expanding access to psilocybin-assisted treatment under healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates new mental health therapy access for veterans, expanding healthcare benefits through a dedicated pilot program targeting veterans' mental wellness needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 5849: Exempts certain veterans service organizations from taxes on the sales of beer, wine and soda

This bill exempts specific veterans service organizations from paying sales taxes on beer, wine, and soda sold by them. It directly affects veterans service organizations chartered by the U.S. Congress under 38 USC 5902. The law amends tax code section 1115 to create a new tax exemption for these beverage sales. The change takes effect June 1, 2025, and applies only to qualifying federally chartered veterans groups.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for veterans groups, reducing state tax revenue, directly weakening tax base per topic definition.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts federally chartered veterans orgs from beverage sales taxes, reducing operational costs to strengthen their ability to serve veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2298: Provides fishing and hunting tax credits for members of the United States armed forces in active service stationed within the state

Provides a personal income tax credit in the amount of any fishing and/or hunting fees paid by members of the United States armed forces in active service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing state tax revenue for military members, aligning with tax relief indicators for specific groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tax credit for active-duty military on recreation fees, directly reducing costs for veterans through financial benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5946: Enacts the "Technical Sergeant Joseph G. Lemm tuition benefit act"

Enacts the "Technical Sergeant Joseph G. Lemm tuition benefit act" to allow members of the New York state organized militia to receive tuition benefits for certain post-secondary degree programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition benefits for post-secondary education access to state militia members, advancing educational access through targeted funding.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition benefits for New York state militia members (veterans), advancing educational support through direct benefit expansion for military service members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 6829: Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to CW2 John M. Grassia III

This bill (S 6829) honors CW2 John M. Grassia III by designating a specific bridge on I-88 in Rotterdam (where Becker Road crosses the interstate) with a ceremonial sign. It does not change the bridge's official name or affect transportation operations. The bill requires the state transportation commissioner to install and maintain a sign reading "Bridge Dedicated to CW2 John M. Grassia III" while clarifying the dedication is purely symbolic. It has no policy impact beyond this commemorative gesture, as stated in Section 2. The bill is procedural and non-substantive.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran with symbolic recognition per topic's recognition indicator, but no policy impact beyond commemoration.60% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 7038: Relates to issuance of keepsake plates for gold star mothers

Relates to distinctive license plates issued to gold star mothers; permits gold star mothers to retain one keepsake plate as a commemorative item after distinctive plates are surrendered.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows gold star mothers (whose children died in military service) to retain commemorative plates, recognizing military sacrifice and honoring veterans' families.85% confidence

Track