S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10508
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 6, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating a state visa
bond fund to assist persons in obtaining visas
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 94-e
to read as follows:
§ 94-E. STATE VISA BOND FUND. 1. THE OFFICE FOR NEW AMERICANS SHALL
ESTABLISH A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
RAISING FUNDS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SECTION TO ASSIST PERSONS
WITH PURCHASING BONDS FOR AN IMMIGRANT SEEKING A UNITED STATES VISA, THE
OFFICE FOR NEW AMERICANS SHALL:
(A) PUBLICIZE THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH FUND;
(B) DEVELOP CRITERIA AND A SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE RECIPIENTS; AND
(C) ESTABLISH, BY RULE, PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING AND EVALUATING APPLI-
CATIONS ISSUING FUNDS TO SELECTED APPLICANTS.
2. THE FUND SHALL BE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND NO
STATE FUNDS SHALL BE APPROPRIATED TO OR USED BY THE FUND. SUCH FUND
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLES SIX AND SEVEN AND SECTION
SEVENTY-FOUR OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
§ 2. Paragraphs (o) and (p) of subdivision 5 of section 94-b of the
executive law, as added by chapter 625 of the laws of 2024, are amended
and a new paragraph (q) is added to read as follows:
(o) Encourage the development of and provide for the establishment of
a state military immigrant family legacy program liaison, as provided in
section twenty-nine-b of the veterans' services law; [and]
(p) Request individuals seeking assistance from the office answer the
following questions: "Have you served in the United States military?"
"Has someone in your family served in the United States military?"
Individuals identifying themselves or a family member as "intended
recipients" of the staff sergeant Alex R. Jimenez New York state mili-
tary immigrant family legacy program as such term is defined in para-
graph (e) of subdivision one of section [twenty-nine-b] TWENTY-NINE-D of
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
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