Veterans (Veteran Education)

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 7277: Allows veterans to fish for free in state parks

This bill (S 7277) allows eligible veterans to fish for free in all New York State parks managed by the relevant agency. It directly affects veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge (including qualifying LGBT veterans with specific discharge types under state law). The key provision removes fishing fees for these veterans at state parks, requiring the agency to create necessary rules for implementation. The policy change takes effect 90 days after the law is signed.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill eliminates fishing fees for veterans, directly expanding recreational benefits and recognizing service through state park access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4358: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition award program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or survivor. It defines "qualified veteran" as someone who would qualify for the award if they met enrollment requirements, and specifies who counts as an "eligible immediate family" member. Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award, with transfers limited to children under 26 who meet service requirements (e.g., veteran served 10+ years unless discharged due to death or specific conditions). The bill caps annual transfers at 100 and requires veterans to designate beneficiaries via a form before the program's effective date in 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands veterans' tuition benefits to family members, increasing higher education access and affordability for dependent students under the program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' tuition benefits by allowing transfer to family members, strengthening program accessibility and benefit utilization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 16, 2025

A 3240: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or eligible survivor. It defines key terms like "qualified veteran" (a veteran who would qualify for the award) and "eligible immediate family" (spouse, child, or survivor meeting specific marriage or family conditions). Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award to family members, with children needing to be under 26 and the veteran having served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain separations or deaths). The bill also limits transfers to 100 per year and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by allowing veterans to transfer unused tuition benefits to family members, increasing educational opportunities for dependents.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' tuition benefits by enabling transfer of unused awards to family members, directly advancing benefit accessibility per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8372: Establishes the New York state veteran student loan forgiveness program

This bill establishes the New York state veteran student loan forgiveness program, designed to help eligible New York resident veterans reduce their student loan debt. The program offers competitive awards of up to $10,000 annually for a maximum of five years, not exceeding $50,000 total or the applicant's outstanding debt. To qualify, veterans must have graduated from an approved New York state college, be employed full-time in New York, agree to reside in the state for five years, and not have received federal loan forgiveness. Priority for awards will be given to prior recipients, and then to economically disadvantaged applicants or those with a service-connected disability of 40% or higher.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student loan forgiveness for NY veterans who graduated from state colleges, reducing financial barriers to higher education access and supporting veterans' educational attainment.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran loan forgiveness program, providing financial relief through up to $50k debt reduction - directly advances veterans' benefits and financial support95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 4, 2025

A 1470: Relates to veterans tuition awards program eligibility

Relates to veterans tuition awards program eligibility; makes tuition awards available for certain veterans including, but not limited to Vietnam, Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition awards for veterans' higher education, expanding access to educational funding for a specific group within the education topic.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition benefits to include Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan veterans, directly advancing veterans' educational benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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passed · New York · Assembly Apr 27, 2026

A 8722: Establishes a credit for military spouses and surviving spouses of veterans for competitive examinations

Establishes a credit for military spouses and surviving spouses of veterans for competitive examinations whether for original appointment or promotion.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides employment credit for veteran spouses, directly advancing family benefits tied to military service95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9242: Provides for the elimination of tolls on the New York state thruway for vehicles transporting veterans to and from veteran's administration hospitals and other veteran's healthcare facilities

Provides for the elimination of tolls on the New York state thruway for vehicles transporting veterans to and from veteran's administration hospitals and other veteran's healthcare facilities.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEliminates tolls on NY state thruway for veterans' healthcare trips, reducing transportation barriers for a specific use case within highway infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates tolls for veterans traveling to VA healthcare facilities, reducing financial barriers to essential medical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6172: Eliminates annual service charge of 25 dollars on issuance of special number plates to veterans of the armed forces

This bill eliminates a $31.25 annual fee for veterans who obtain special license plates honoring military service. It directly affects veterans of the armed forces who apply for these designated plates. The key change amends vehicle law to remove the requirement for veterans to pay this specific annual charge, while maintaining other fee structures for non-veteran special plates. The bill does not alter the regular fees for standard license plates or other plate types.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates annual fee for veterans' special license plates, reducing financial burden and recognizing military service directly.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1882: Relates to exempting veterans organizations in New York city from city sewer and water charges

Exempts veterans organizations in New York city, as defined in section 452 of the real property tax law, from payment of city sewer and water charges.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans orgs from sewer/water charges, reducing operational costs and supporting their ability to serve veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 6001: Relates to the issuance of pool and health memberships to disabled veterans at certain SUNY and CUNY campuses

Requires that the state university of New York's board of trustees and the city university of New York's board of trustees shall each adopt a policy requiring all state university of New York, city university of New York, college, and community college campuses that offer membership programs to the general public for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities, to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other charges, or at a discounted rate; defines "disabled veteran".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates SUNY/CUNY campuses to provide disabled veterans equal access to fitness/aquatic facilities, expanding benefits and services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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