NEW YORK – Gov. Kathy Hochul signed six veterans bills on Wednesday, November 11, covering property tax eligibility, disability-related home improvements, vehicle paperwork and access to public college recreation facilities, according to an announcement from the governor’s office.
One measure allows local governments to waive or reduce fees for home improvements needed to accommodate a veteran’s service-connected disability. Another allows eligible veterans with a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to use that rating to qualify for license plates bearing the Universal Symbol of Access.
For active-duty service members, a separate law allows early vehicle registration renewal when a registration is due to expire during deployment or other official military duties.
Two bills address property taxes. One clarifies the Persian Gulf conflict period used to determine eligibility for veterans’ property tax benefits. The other broadens the military records that combat-zone veterans can use to qualify for additional exemptions, including discharge records, military awards and records of hazardous duty pay.
The sixth measure provides for free or discounted memberships for veterans with disabilities at SUNY and CUNY campus gyms and swimming pools that are open to the general public.
The state Department of Veterans’ Services also announced $150,000 in grants to six nonprofits, with each receiving $25,000 for therapeutic outdoor recreation programs for veterans. Hochul directed 17 state landmarks to be illuminated green Wednesday evening as part of Operation Green Light.
JBizNews Desk | New York
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