Senator Gallivan Joins Colleagues in Passing Bills to Support Veterans

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) says the New York State Senate this week passed a series of bills to provide important benefits and recognition to veterans and their families. The measures would help make it easier for certain military family members to work after locating to New York, increase veterans’ eligibility for property tax savings, and provide additional credit and awards for military service, among other acknowledgements to recognize contributions of New York’s veterans.

“We can never fully repay the men and women who bravely serve our nation today and those who have served in the past,” Gallivan said.  “These bills support and recognize military personnel and their families for their sacrifices and contributions to our country.”

On Tuesday, an historic bill (S7160) sponsored by Senator William Larkin and co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan was signed into law to allow all honorably discharged veterans who are members of a state retirement system to purchase service credit for up to three years of military service performed.  Previously, only veterans who served during certain specified periods of war were eligible for this benefit. This unfairly excluded a substantial number of veterans, such as those who have recently served in Afghanistan. The bill has passed the Senate several times and is a fulfillment of the state’s commitment to veterans.  

Another bill (S2209), allows qualified veterans to add veterans’ credits to civil service competitive examination scores at any point prior to the expiration of the eligible list, including those examinations for appointments and promotions to the state police.

Two bills sponsored by Senator Kathy Marchione and co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan would create new state medals to honor veterans for their military service.  Bill S1214A creates a new Korean War Service Medal for military service abroad in the Korean War from June 25, 1950, through July 27, 1953. Bill S1382 creates the Vietnam War Service Medal for military service abroad in the Vietnam War from November 1, 1955, through April 30, 1975.

The other bills passed this week include:

S2208, sponsored by Senator Larkin and co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, prohibits cemeteries from the unauthorized sale of veteran commemorative cemetery markers, flag holders, monuments, statues or other physical memorabilia that are over 75 years old if the property is currently placed or located within a cemetery. This bill is particularly pertinent to Civil War era cemetery markers, statues, and monuments because of their age and the ornate style in which they were designed and constructed, which makes them valuable and leads to potential sale by cemetery operators.

S1628B, sponsored by Senator Phil Boyle and co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, makes veterans organizations such as the American Legion or VFW posts eligible for funding under the state and municipal facilities program. This would help the state provide much needed capital funding to the posts and support the valuable services they provide to veterans and their families.

S2947, sponsored by Senator Patricia Ritchie makes it easier for military spouses to find reemployment upon moving to New York. Many occupations require a state license with state-specific conditions and processes, which can cause lengthy reemployment delays for military spouses moving between states. This legislation would allow these individuals to obtain a professional license from New York if they can provide a valid license from their home state and if they already meet New York’s training requirements.

S3134B, sponsored by Senator Thomas Croci, allows municipalities to offer the alternative veterans’ property tax exemption to members of the military who are currently serving on active duty. Currently, individuals who are in active military service need to wait until their service in uniform has been completed in order to receive the tax benefits extended by participating municipalities.

S4986, sponsored by Senator Jack Martins, exempts Veterans’ memorial poppy flowers from the collection of New York State sales tax. The poppy flower has long been a symbol used for honoring American soldiers who died bravely fighting for their country. In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) conducted its first poppy distribution for Veteran’s Day and other recognition events and later had them assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance.

S6705, sponsored by Senator Susan Serino, authorizes the issuance of distinctive “Iraq War Veteran” or “War in Afghanistan Veteran” license plates as recognition of their service and sacrifices.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.

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