SEN. FARLEY ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO HONOR AND HELP VETERANS IN NEW YORK

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recently passed several measures dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and honoring them for their exceptional service. The Senate also recently celebrated the achievements of veterans from across the state during the Senate’s annual Veterans’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. Information about the 58 veterans inducted into the Hall of Fame will be posted at http://www.nysenate.gov/initiative/honoring-our-veterans.

Legislation passed today that would benefit veterans includes:

* S3408 would make all veterans eligible for ‘Operation Recognition,’ which allows veterans to be awarded a high school diploma based on the knowledge and experience gained while in the military.

* S2263 would allow those with military service and those who receive an honorable discharge to attend classes at the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) on a tuition-free audit basis.

* S932 would expand the public housing eligibility to veterans and their surviving spouses who served or are serving in United States Armed Forces from September 14, 2001 to December 31, 2016. The legislation also requires public housing authorities to grant preference to eligible veterans or families of veterans who have a military service related disability.

* S3134 would expand the ‘Alternative Veterans' Exemption’ to include all active members of the military. The bill allows active members of the military to receive the exemption while they serve, instead of the current requirement that makes them wait until their service terminates.

* S2939 would allow absentee ballots cast by service members who die in combat before the date of the scheduled election to be counted toward the election in which they were cast.

* S4852 would allow all veterans who miss a civil service examination during active duty, including training, the opportunity to take a make-up examination.

* S862 would permit any military personnel scheduled for deployment in less than 30 days to get married within 24 hours of receiving their marriage license.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.