State Senate Honors Memorial Day, Military Appreciation Month With Legislation to Support Veterans and Active Duty Service Members

(Albany, NY) – During a week which featured Memorial Day observances and the annual Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony in Albany, the New York State Senate has advanced a legislative package to strengthen support for New York’s veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

The package was adopted during Military Appreciation Month under Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ leadership on Tuesday. The slate of five bills aims at providing property tax relief to servicemembers and disabled veterans, enhancing educational opportunities for veterans and their families, and honoring fallen heroes lost in battle against America’s enemies and in the battle against veteran suicide.

Said Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, “These bills send a clear message during Military Appreciation Month: New York stands with our service members, veterans, and their families. This legislative package underscores our unwavering commitment to those who serve. While the federal government in Washington is abandoning its duty to veterans by threatening to cut thousands of VA jobs and slash funding for critical veterans programs, New York will never turn our backs on those who protect us. To every veteran, active duty member, and family enduring the pain of loss: New York sees you, values you, and will always fight for you.”

Key Provisions of the Legislation include:

Property Tax Relief for Active Duty Servicemembers: Allows towns and cities to offer property tax exemptions for active military members who served in combat zones.

Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans: Grants full property tax exemptions on primary homes for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities.

Official State Flag Honoring Fallen Heroes: Adopts the “Honor and Remember” flag as New York’s official symbol to commemorate service members who died defending the nation.

Education Benefits for Veteran Families: Enables veterans to transfer unused tuition awards to spouses or children, helping families access higher education.

Veteran Suicide Awareness Day: Designates September 22 as a statewide day to raise awareness about veteran mental health and honor those lost to suicide.

The package builds on recent state investments, including expanded benefits for Gold Star Families and increased funding for veteran mental health services.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2025 | Contact: Gregory Totino, (518) 391-5107; totino@nysenate.gov