Kathy Hochul Signs Six Laws Expanding New York Veteran Benefits

Governor Kathy Hochul signed six pieces of legislation on Veterans Day to expand benefits and reduce administrative barriers for New York veterans, service members, and military families. The legislative package includes the Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act, which enables local governments to waive fees for accessibility improvements, and measures to simplify vehicle registration renewals during deployment and the acquisition of Universal Symbol of Access license plates.

The new laws expand property tax exemption eligibility for Persian Gulf and combat veterans and grant disabled veterans free or discounted access to fitness facilities at SUNY and CUNY campuses. To support these efforts, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services awarded $150,000 in grants to six nonprofits for outdoor recreational therapy.

As part of the Operation Green Light campaign, Hochul directed 17 state landmarks, including the Empire State Plaza and One World Trade Center, to be illuminated green. The initiatives aim to provide critical financial relief and remove documentation barriers that have previously hindered veterans from accessing earned benefits.