Sen. Pam Helming

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of "period of war" to include recent military conflicts for veterans seeking a real property tax exemption. It specifically adds the Persian Gulf conflict, the Global War on Terrorism, and specific NATO operations in Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo to the list of qualifying service periods. By amending the Real Property Tax Law, the legislation ensures that veterans who served during these later hostilities remain eligible for the alternative tax exemption. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21 as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in New York State. It achieves this by amending the executive law to add the new commemorative date to the official list of recognized days. The change requires no new funding or programs and simply updates the legal record to acknowledge the date.

Establishes the congressional chartered veterans service organizations fund; provides for gifts made to such fund on an individual's personal income tax return.

Permits the principal of any high school to allow any local fire department, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of fire department junior recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 22nd as "Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day" to honor military veterans and raise awareness about suicide prevention. By amending the state's executive law, it adds this new observance to the existing list of official commemorative days recognized in New York. The legislation requires no special actions from individuals or organizations, serving primarily as a formal acknowledgment of the issue within the state calendar.

Relates to establishing distinctive "Alzheimer's Awareness" license plates; provides that the funding for such be deposited in the "Alzheimer's disease assistance fund".

Directs DEC to designate a representative for each environmental conservation region of the state to serve as the point of contact for municipalities to aid in the acquisition of resources and funding for water projects.

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.

Relates to the calculation of past service credit for members in the title of deputy sheriff who provided police protection or correction officer service transferring between the New York state and local employees' retirement system to the New York state and local police and fire retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Veteran Family Educational Attainment Act, allows New York State veterans who have unused tuition award benefits to transfer those funds to a spouse, child, or survivor. To qualify for the transfer, the veteran must have served at least ten years, unless their service was cut short due to death, medical issues, hardship, or other specific non-willful reasons. The recipient must be an eligible immediate family member living in the state, with children specifically required to be under twenty-six years old. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for who counts as a "qualified veteran" and "survivor," including spouses married within fifteen years of discharge or those with children born to the veteran.