Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera As "Vets Connect" Bill Passes The Senate Transportation Committee

(Albany, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement today after bill S1100, also known as the Vets Connect, passed the New York State Senate Transportation Committee. The Vets Connect bill, which is sponsored by Senator Rivera in the Senate and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz in the Assembly, will allow veterans to voluntarily identify themselves when applying or renewing their driver's license and allow the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to share their contact information with the Division of Veterans' Affairs. Vets Connect, which has passed unanimously in the State Senate for the last three years, never been brought for a vote in the Assembly Transportation Committee. The bill is now eligible to be placed on the Senate Active list.

"I am proud that my colleagues in the Senate Transportation Committee have joined me in pushing the Vets Connect bill towards the next step of the legislative process for fourth consecutive year. With our State's veterans not always receiving the benefits they are entitled to due to their years of service, this common sense measure would ensure they are properly notified of the benefits they qualify for. I urge my colleagues in the Assembly Transportation Committee to review this bill and vote it out of committee. I'm committed to continue working with Assemblymember Dinowitz and my colleagues in the Senate to ensure we pass this common sense measure through both houses and help the brave men and women who served our nation get the support they need."