Mayer, Sayegh Bill to Waive Fees for Westchester County Veterans’ Organizations Signed Into Law

(Yonkers, NY) – Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblyman Nader Sayegh today announced legislation they sponsored to authorize Westchester County to waive certain fees for veterans’ organizations (S7125/A2658) has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. 

The new law aims to facilitate the expansion and renovation of veterans’ posts in the county, especially those which have foregone investment in infrastructure due to financial constraints. 

Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “Veterans’ organizations play a vital role in serving our veteran community. This law, which I sponsored in the Senate, will allow Westchester County to waive fees associated with veterans’ organizations’ capital improvements and make it easier for them to invest in their facilities – including increasing accessibility for aging veterans. These spaces are essential for allowing veterans to gather and maintain the sense of connection they had during active service. Although we can never fully repay them, I am pleased we can support them with this new law. Thank you to my Assembly partner, Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, and to Governor Kathy Hochul for supporting this effort.”

Assemblyman Nader Sayegh said: “Veterans’ organizations play an important role in ensuring that veterans can continue to experience the sense of community they once felt as active service members. That is why I sponsored this legislation to assist veterans’ posts when making capital improvements to their buildings, by enabling the Westchester County Legislature to waive many of the fees associated with construction projects. I thank Senator Shelley Mayer for sponsoring the bill in the Senate and applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation into law on Veterans Day.”

The fees include but are not limited to building permit review fees and fees associated with capital improvements to any post or hall owned by a not-for-profit congressionally chartered veterans’ organization in the county. 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “We owe our veterans everything for fighting to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. With this new legislation, Westchester County can further show our appreciation by making it just a little bit easier for our Vets to restore and rebuild the meetings places they can rely on. Local Vets posts and halls are valued community spaces that often prove to be more than just a meeting hall, but rather a common place for our local vets to feel at home. I thank the Governor, Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Sayegh for their leadership.”

This law is effective immediately.