Veterans

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1491: Establishes a central business district toll exemption for veterans

This bill exempts New York state-resident veterans from paying tolls in New York City's central business district. It directly affects veterans who live in New York and use toll roads in that area. The law amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to remove toll charges for eligible veterans, using the same definition of "veteran" as in the Veterans' Services Law. The exemption takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts NY veterans from CB district tolls, expanding financial benefits per Veterans' Services Law definition, directly advancing veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 7402: Eliminates sporting license fees for honorably discharged, disabled veterans

This bill eliminates all fees for lifetime sporting licenses (hunting, fishing, trapping) for veterans who are honorably discharged from U.S. military service and certified with a 40% or greater service-connected disability. It directly affects eligible veterans by removing a cost barrier to accessing lifetime recreational licenses under New York's environmental conservation law. The change modifies the fee schedule to set $0 as the cost for this specific veteran group in the "lifetime license including hunting, fishing, and turkey permit" category. The policy change applies immediately upon enactment and does not alter fees for other license types or eligibility categories.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates fees for veteran recreational licenses, removing cost barriers and expanding benefits for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3093: Determines that disability compensation or benefits received by veterans from the VA are not to be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested programs

Determines that disability compensation or benefits received by veterans from the United States department of veterans affairs are not to be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents VA disability benefits from counting as income for means-tested healthcare programs (e.g., Medicaid), expanding veterans' access to coverage by removing eligibility barriers.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPrevents VA disability compensation from disqualifying veterans from means-tested programs, protecting their access to other benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8775: Expands the veterans' preference to include veterans who did not serve during a time of war for certain housing

This bill expands veterans' preference in New York's affordable Mitchell-Lama housing programs to include veterans who did not serve during a time of war. It requires housing agencies to give priority in admission to veterans (as defined by Civil Service Law §85) and their surviving spouses, regardless of wartime service, and to clearly state this preference on applications. The change applies to both open waiting lists and closed lists when they reopen. This policy update directly affects veterans applying for Mitchell-Lama housing units across New York State.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands veterans' eligibility for affordable Mitchell-Lama housing programs, increasing access to existing affordable housing resources without restricting tenant rights or funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands housing preference to all veterans regardless of wartime service, strengthening access to affordable housing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6559: Establishes a veterans' bill of rights

Establishes a veterans' bill of rights; provides sample language for such bill of rights; requires the department of veterans' services to establish and distribute a veterans' bill of rights and to make such bill of rights available on the department's website.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates establishment of veterans' bill of rights, providing formal recognition and protection of veterans' rights through departmental distribution and website availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5063: Relates to veteran information collected by certain facilities

Requires nursing homes, residential health care facilities, and adult care facilities to ask patients if they have a service-connected disability rating from the federal department of veterans affairs; requires such information to be delivered to the department of veterans' services and transmitted to city and county veterans' services agencies and officers.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires facilities to collect/share veteran disability info with state agencies, facilitating access to benefits and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6559: Relates to real property tax exemptions for disabled veterans

S 6559 would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to provide a 100% property tax exemption for veterans who served in combat zones and are 100% permanently disabled due to military service, or their unmarried surviving spouses. This exemption would apply directly to the property tax bill for eligible veterans, bypassing any local limits on standard property tax exemptions. Localities would choose whether to implement this option, and the exemption would apply to properties assessed on or after January 1, 2025. The bill does not require localities to adopt this exemption but provides a new option for those that choose to do so.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing property tax burden, aligning with tax relief for lower-income groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides 100% property tax exemption for disabled combat veterans and surviving spouses, directly expanding financial benefits for eligible veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 8061: Creates a women veterans history trail

Bill A 8061 creates a "women veterans history trail" to recognize and celebrate the history of women in service. The Department of Veterans' Services will develop and designate this trail, consulting with the New York State Military Museum, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the State Historian. The trail will feature various sites like museums, memorials, and historic homes. The department will solicit recommendations from local governments, individuals, and organizations for inclusions in the trail. Public information about the trail will be available through the department's website, a free mobile application, and digital veterans' welcome kiosks.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates recognition trail for women veterans' service history, directly aligning with topic recognition indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 5951: Relates to creating a distinctive plate for combat veterans having served in the navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard

This bill creates special license plates for veterans who served in the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard during combat. Eligible veterans (or their spouses, but not both) can request plates displaying branch-specific wording like "Navy Combat Veteran" upon providing proof of service. A one-time $10 fee is added to standard registration costs, and plates require 200 pre-orders before production begins to cover costs. The program is funded through these fees, deposited into a dedicated fund for plate design and distribution.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates distinctive license plates for combat veterans (Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard) as direct recognition, aligning with topic's recognition aspect.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 7784: 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 equal access to fitness/aquatic memberships for disabled veterans at SUNY/CUNY campuses, expanding recreational benefits and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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