BILL NUMBER: S4653

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to licensure
fees for veterans

 
PURPOSE:

This bill waives the fees for the renewal of a New York State driver's
license for any United States veteran.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 503 of the
vehicle and traffic law by adding new subparagraph (v) to waive the fee
of New York State driver's license renewal United States Veterans.

Section 2: Sets the effective date.

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

According to a 2014 State Department of Labor study, nearly 1 million
New Yorkers are veterans. Statistically, veterans tend to be older, with
3 out of 4 having served in the military at least 25 years ago.  There-
fore, along with their status as veterans, many are also senior citi-
zens, living on fixed incomes.

For veterans to receive the services they need, from mental health coun-
seling to accessing one of the 96 Career Centers across New York State,
a driver's license is a necessity. Especially in the Upstate region,
where 57% of New York's veterans population resides, there is often a
lack of access to reliable public transportation. In New York, the cost
of renewing a class D driver's license is $64.50, and increases in 12 of
the downstate counties, which to many reentering civilian life, or those
who rely on fixed incomes, is a major financial burden.

Adapting to civilian life is already extremely challenging for nearly
all military personnel, from struggling to dealing with medical after-
math of serving in the military, to finding a good-paying jobs.  Even
something that seems so small like alleviating the cost of license
renewal fees can help veterans across New York State to get back on
their feet, after honorably serving their county.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

S.3951 of 2021-22

S.582 of 2019-20

S.5188 of 2017-18

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.