On Veterans Day, Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Strengthen Support for New York's Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Kathy Hochul signed six pieces of legislation to strengthen support for New York's veterans, service members and military families. The legislative package will expand access to benefits, reduce financial and administrative barriers and improve quality of life for veterans and active-duty service members. Governor Hochul also directed 17 state landmarks to be illuminated green this evening as part of Operation Green Light.

“The brave men and women who have worn our nation's uniform have made extraordinary sacrifices to defend our freedoms, and New York could not be more grateful for their service,” Governor Hochul said. “This Veterans Day, we honor the New Yorkers who have served our country and recognize the tremendous sacrifices made by them and their families by ensuring they have the support, recognition and resources they deserve.”

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, “On Veterans Day, we are reminded that honoring those who served our Nation requires more than words of gratitude. It requires meaningful action that reflects the depth of our appreciation and the responsibility we share to stand beside them. Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate that commitment through both powerful gestures of recognition and meaningful legislation that strengthens protections, expands benefits, and removes barriers for Veterans and Military Families. As landmarks across New York State shine green tonight, they will serve as beacons of gratitude, reminding every Veteran that their service matters, their sacrifices are remembered, and their well-being remains a priority in the State they proudly served.”

A10921A/S10398A will help lower the cost of making homes safer and more accessible for veterans with disabilities by allowing local governments to waive or reduce fees for home improvements needed to accommodate a veteran's service-connected disability.

State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, “Veterans who have given so much in service to our country shouldn’t face a financial burden when they need to make their homes more accessible. These modifications are essential to helping former service members with disabilities safely remain in their homes, and I thank Governor Hochul for signing Senate Bill S10398A as part of this Veterans Day legislative package and helping make those necessary improvements more affordable.”

Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “As Chairman of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I was proud to sponsor the Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act, which ensures that our veterans who return from service with life-changing injuries or permanent disabilities can renovate their homes without undue financial burdens. This legislation provides veterans and their loved ones with the critical financial relief they deserve to remain in the homes that they love with dignity. Local permitting fees and other administrative expenses can increase costs and delay needed improvements. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this vital legislation supporting our local heroes.”

A9351A/S8571A makes it easier for veterans with a 100 percent disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain license plates with the Universal Symbol of Access by allowing eligible veterans to use their existing federal disability rating to qualify.

A11233A/S9806A will make it easier for members of the armed forces to keep their vehicle registrations up to date while serving by allowing them to renew early if their registration is set to expire while they are deployed or performing other official military duties.

State Senator Chris Ryan said, “Our veterans and active duty service members have made tremendous sacrifices in service to our country, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the support and flexibility they deserve. I’m proud to have sponsored two pieces of legislation in this package that make certain administrative processes easier for our veterans and active duty military. I thank Assemblyman Magnarelli for his work on these bills and Governor Hochul for signing this legislative package into law– showing that New York continues to recognize and honor those who put their country before themselves.”

Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “I thank Governor Hochul for signing these important bills into law. Our active military and veterans have sacrificed much for our country. I was proud to sponsor these laws to help our service-disabled veterans obtain universal symbol of access plates, and to allow service members on deployment to renew their registrations early.”

A3450A/S3194A will help ensure veterans who served during the Persian Gulf conflict can access the property tax benefits they have earned by clarifying the time period of the conflict used to determine eligibility.

State Senator James Skoufis said, “Every veteran, regardless of when they served, deserves equal access to local, state, and federal benefits. These patriots dedicated their lives to our country and today's updates to our laws reflect a continued, deep appreciation for our veterans. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this important package of bills.”

A5578A/S1788A makes it easier for veterans who served in combat zones to qualify for additional property tax exemptions by expanding the types of military records they can use to prove their eligibility, including discharge records, military awards and records of hazardous duty pay.

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “I’m incredibly proud that our bill has been signed into law, so our veterans who have served on classified and submarine missions can now apply to receive the property tax relief they deserve. These veterans have put everything on the line for their country, and they should never face unnecessary barriers to the benefits that have been established to support them. I first heard about this issue from a constituent, and it was clear that we needed to fix this process and ensure these combat veterans could gain access to this exemption to help lower their housing costs. I thank Governor Hochul for signing our bill on Veterans Day.”

Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter said, “As a veteran, I know how important it is that we honor those who have served, not just with words, but with meaningful action. I’m proud that legislation I introduced to expand access to property tax exemptions for veterans is being signed into law on Veterans Day. No veteran should face unnecessary barriers to benefits they’ve earned simply because of how their service is documented. This new law helps remove those barriers and ensures more veterans can access the financial relief they deserve. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation and my colleagues for their support.”

A6001A/S7784A will make it easier for veterans with disabilities to access fitness and recreational opportunities at the State University of New York and City University of New York by providing for free or discounted memberships at campus gyms and swimming pools open to the general public.

State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, “New York is home to one of the largest veteran populations in our nation, and as the Chair of the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs, I am always thinking of ways that we can best support those who have served. Costs should never be a barrier for access to fitness facilities for disabled veterans who can benefit from the physical, mental, and emotional advantages they provide. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this into law.”

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, “By providing pool and gym access for free on SUNY and CUNY campuses for disabled veterans, this state-wide initiative will alleviate a financial burden for New York’s veterans while increasing access to a more fit and healthier lifestyle. New York’s higher educational institutions have much to offer, and New York State is doing more to serve our communities and give back to those who fought and served for our nation. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting those who served our country with bravery and honor.”

Additionally, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services today announced $150,000 in funding for six nonprofit organizations through the Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Grant Program. Each organization will receive $25,000 to expand therapeutic outdoor recreation opportunities that support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of veterans across New York State.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has made historic investments in supporting New York's veterans, service members and military families, including approximately $4.6 million for 73 veterans organizations through the Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program, expanded educational opportunities through the Veterans Tuition Award, $350,000 for the Military Family Relief Fund and $1.1 million in State funding for suicide prevention initiatives. Her administration has committed more funding to veteran- and military-family-focused suicide prevention than any previous New York Governor, supporting initiatives including veterans outdoor recreational therapy, mental health and wellness programs, suicide prevention training, expanded telehealth access and specialized support for women veterans, military spouses and families. Governor Hochul has also supported approximately $1 million in Justice for Heroes grants and multiyear funding commitments to expand free legal services for veterans and military families.

These 17 landmarks will be illuminated in green to honor New York’s veterans and service members as part of Operation Green Light:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• Lincoln Bathhouse at Saratoga Spa State Park
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
• The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• Lake Placid Olympic Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

Launched in 2021 as a collaboration among the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State County Executives’ Association, and the New York State County Veteran Service Officers’ Association, Operation Green Light is a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans. This statewide initiative has been adopted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and has spread to hundreds of counties and local governments across the United States.

New York State Association of Counties President Kevin D. Watkins, MD, MPH, said, “On behalf of New York’s counties and the County Veterans Service Officers who work every day to connect veterans with the services and benefits they have earned, I commend Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to supporting those who have served our nation. That commitment is at the heart of Operation Green Light, which is about more than illuminating buildings. It’s about raising awareness, connecting veterans with resources, and ensuring they know their communities stand behind them. We are especially proud that this initiative, which began right here in New York, continues to grow into a nationwide movement bringing together hundreds of counties our nation in support of our veterans and their families.”

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.