Senator Martins' Bills to Assist Veterans Pass Senate

MARTINS BILL TO BOOST VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES PASSES SENATE

Senator Jack M. Martins (R-C-I, Mineola) today announced that Legislation (S.2597) he sponsors to assist veterans who own a small business has passed the Senate.

The legislation establishes that three percent of all contracts awarded by the State of New York or any state agency or authority must begranted to veteran-owned businesses.

“Unfortunately, many of our returning veterans are having difficulty finding jobs when they come home,” said Senator Martins. “This bill requires that, out of all the state contracts New York awards to companies and businesses each year, three percent of those contracts would have to be specifically designated for veterans who own a small business. Our goal is to support those men and women who served our country, who want to work and support their families, but are struggling to make ends meet.”

The bill also creates a statewide certification program to verify those businesses that qualify as veteran-owned enterprises and clarifies the responsibilities of the state agencies that award contracts to veterans.

“We are very fortunate to have many brave men and women willing to fight overseas to protect our freedom and fight for democracy in the most dangerous parts of the world,” said Senator Martins. “The very least we can do is support the livelihoods of those who put their careers and their lives on hold serving long tours of duty and risked everything for our freedom.”

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

MARTINS BILL ESTABLISHING VETERANS’ ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS PASSES SENATE

Senator Jack M. Martins (R-C-I, Mineola) today announced that legislation (S.4810) he sponsors to help veterans qualify for three specific property tax exemptions has passed the Senate.

The bill directs the State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, in consultation with the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs, to develop a list of acceptable documents that veterans can use to prove they qualify for three real property tax exemptions: 1. The Eligible Funds exemption; 2. The Alternative Veterans exemption; and 3. The Cold War Veterans exemption.

According to the legislation, the Commissioner must work with the New York State Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs to develop this list of documents and supply this information to local county taxassessors. Every county assessor keeps this information in a manual that Is updated each year by the Office of Real Property Tax Services.

“For quite some time, the Department of Taxation and Finance has been working with the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs to supply a list of acceptable documents that veterans can used to establish their eligibility for these three veterans' tax exemptions,” explained Senator Martins. “This bill simply puts this practice on the books and into state law so that local assessors can continue to help veterans qualify for these exemptions. It ensures that this information is available to the numerous veterans advocates who help those who have served In our military so that they can file for these exemptions properly and receive the tax breaks they deserve.”

Included on the list of acceptable documents is the certificate of release or discharge from active duty, also known as the DD-214 form, and the Honorable Service Certificate/Report of Causality from the department of defense.

The bill also states that the complete list of acceptable military records must be made available on the websites of the Division of Veterans' Affairs and the Office of Real Property Tax Services.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.