New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed six bills supporting veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The measures include reduced fees for home modifications for disabled veterans, expanded documentation that veterans can use to prove eligibility for property tax exemptions, and early vehicle registration renewal for service members on deployment.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed six bills to support veterans and service members on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. They cover reduced fees for home modifications, simplified issuance of disability-designated license plates, early vehicle registration renewal, updates to property tax exemption eligibility, and access to State University athletic facilities.
The Disabled Veterans Home Modification bill (A10921A/S10398A) allows local governments to waive or reduce related fees when a home is modified to accommodate a service-connected disability. Veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be able to obtain license plates with a disability access designation more easily based on their existing federal rating alone (A9351A/S8571A). Service members whose vehicle registration expires during deployment or official duty can renew their registration in advance (A11233A/S9806A).
Easier Proof of Eligibility for Property Tax Exemptions
Also signed were a bill clarifying the Gulf War period used as the basis for the Gulf War veterans' property tax exemption (A3450A/S3194A), and a bill allowing veterans who served in a combat zone to use military decoration records and hazardous duty pay records, in addition to discharge records, as proof when applying for the additional property tax exemption (A5578A/S1788A). Veterans with disabilities will also be able to use gyms and swimming pools on SUNY and CUNY campuses that are open to the public for free or at a discounted rate (A6001A/S7784A).
The state also announced $150,000 in funding through the Veterans Outdoor Recreation Therapy Grant, awarding $25,000 each to six nonprofit organizations. The announcement did not include effective dates for each law or detailed application procedures. Information on property tax exemptions is available from the local city or county property tax office.