Governor Hochul Signs Legislative Package to Provide Resources and Support to Veterans and Their Families

S.7461/A.3381A Clarifies the Definition of Veteran for Tax Purposes

S.3309A/A.6084A Allows Veterans and Gold Star Families Entrance to New York Places of Recreation Free of Charge

S.1671A/A.6140A Requires the Small Business Revolving Fund to Target and Market to Veteran-Owned Enterprises

S.2372/A.1084 Requires the Publication of the Number of Veterans on Certain Housing Waiting Lists

S.454A/A.3116A Directs Certain Municipalities to Contact a Veterans’ Organization to Provide for the Disposition of the Unclaimed Remains of a Deceased Veteran

S.7378/A.7379 Eliminates the “Wartime Service” Requirement for Certain Civil Service Positions

S.291/A.1347 Establishes a Veteran Internship Program within Existing Senate and Assembly Programs

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed seven pieces of legislation that aim to provide resources and support to veterans and their families. These bills build upon this administration’s dedication to acknowledging the sacrifices made by veterans and ensuring they can return to their civilian lives more easily.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans who risked their lives to serve our country,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation will provide resources and support to New York’s veterans, honoring their service and recognizing their heroism.”

S.7461/A.3381A clarifies the definition of veteran to include career members of the armed forces for tax exemption purposes. This bill updates the law to reflect current military practices and to create an incentive to keep career members of the military here in New York.

S.3309A/A.6084A will allow, beginning on April 1, 2024, residents who are veterans and members of a Gold Star family free access to State parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities in New York State.

S.1671A/A.6140A requires the small business revolving loan fund within New York’s Empire State Development Corporation, to market to veteran-owned enterprises and service-disabled veteran-owned enterprises.

S.2372/A.1084 requires that the number of applicants applying as veterans, or a surviving spouse of a veteran, be made available on the Mitchell-Lama application waitlist so that those applying have a clear indication of whether there are other veterans applying for the same housing.

S.454A/A.3116A directs counties and the city of New York to contact a veterans’ organization to collect any unclaimed remains of a deceased veteran if they do not have any next of kin or other designee to provide for their disposition. This legislation ensures all who serve our county are given a proper interment.

S.7378/A.7379 eliminates the “wartime service” requirement that prohibits a large number of interested veterans from seeking employment in certain civil service roles, expanding the application pool.

S.291/A.1347 establishes VIP NY, a veteran internship program that will award ten percent of available internships in the Assembly Youth Participation program and the Senate Student Program to eligible honorably discharged veterans.

This legislation package builds upon Governor Hochul’s efforts to expand veteran services and support resources and to further acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who have served. Earlier this week, the Governor honored veterans with the year’s sixth and final Free Fishing Day of 2023. Last week, Governor Hochul announced the completion of Northside Village in Schenectady, a public housing revitalization that includes 61 units with supportive services for veterans and individuals with physical disabilities.

In September, Governor Hochul announced the award of nearly $4 million in federal funding to expand and improve the New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes, the first veterans cemetery owned and operated by New York State.

Veterans in New York State may find more support through the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, which has served as the state’s advocacy agency for veterans, service members, and military families since 1945. The Department maintains an agency-wide commitment of serving all veterans, service members, and military families in a wide range of practice areas, including claims and appeals for benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, discharge upgrade appeals to the United States Department of Defense, and claims for New York State benefits. Veterans, service members, and military families are encouraged to contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or its website veterans.ny.gov to meet — in person or virtually — with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to address their needs and gain the full measure of benefits that they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.