Enacts the "New York veteran digital navigator program act"; requires the state commissioner of the department of veterans' services to establish a program to promote digital citizenship, through which the state commissioner shall award grants to eligible entities.
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.
Authorizes a veteran's close friend or family who is reasonably familiar with such veteran's wishes to request that such veteran be buried in a state veterans' cemetery.
Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the NOAA and the commissioned corps of the public health service; expands access to certain benefits to those who served in the commissioned corps of the NOAA and the commissioned corps of the public health service.
This bill (S 5733) changes how state funds cover maintenance and operation costs for local veterans' service agencies. County and city agencies will receive 50% of their approved costs from the state, with population-based limits: $25,000 for areas under 100,000 people, plus $5,000 for each additional 100,000 people in population. The state will allocate funds using 0.5% of the previous year’s veterans’ administration spending. It directly affects county and city veterans’ service agencies, ensuring predictable state reimbursement for operational costs. The bill amends existing law to clarify funding mechanisms without creating new programs.
Protects veterans from fraud and unaccredited representatives; institutes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violation; establishes the class A misdemeanor crime of unaccredited representation of a veteran; establishes a veterans' services fund.
This bill increases the real property tax exemption for combat veterans from 10% to 35% of their property's assessed value. It directly affects veterans who served in combat zones and received specific military medals (like campaign ribbons or expeditionary medals). The exemption is capped at $40,000 or the equivalent based on local tax rates, whichever is lower. The change applies to properties assessed on or after January 1, 2026.
This bill expands eligibility for New York's veterans tuition awards program to include Purple Heart recipients. It adds "Purple Heart recipient" to the list of qualifying veterans under the education law, defining it as someone awarded the Purple Heart under federal military law (10 U.S.C. §§ 1129 or 1129-a). The change allows Purple Heart recipients to access the same tuition assistance benefits previously available to other veterans, including up to eight full-time semesters of coverage at approved schools. The bill modifies existing eligibility language to explicitly include this group without creating new funding or altering benefit amounts.
S 2600 waives renewal fees for vehicle operator licenses for veterans. It directly affects veterans who served in active U.S. military or naval service during a war, were honorably discharged, or were furloughed to reserve. The bill adds a new provision to vehicle and traffic law requiring license renewal fees to be waived for qualifying veterans. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.
