New York Governor Kathy Hochul marked Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, by signing a package of six bills in Albany that expands property-tax relief, cuts local fees for disabled veterans who need to adapt their homes, simplifies vehicle paperwork for service members and veterans, and opens public college gyms and pools to disabled veterans at free or discounted rates, according to the governor's office.
Source: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul — Veterans Day legislative package announcement (Nov 11, 2026)
"The brave men and women who have worn our nation's uniform have made extraordinary sacrifices to defend our freedoms, and New York could not be more grateful for their service," Governor Hochul said. "This Veterans Day, we honor the New Yorkers who have served our country and recognize the tremendous sacrifices made by them and their families by ensuring they have the support, recognition and resources they deserve." The package is aimed, her office said, at expanding access to benefits and reducing the financial and administrative barriers veterans and active-duty families run into after service.
Two property-tax fixes at the heart of the package
Bill A3450A/S3194A clarifies the time period of the Persian Gulf conflict that is used to decide eligibility for veterans' property-tax benefits, so Gulf-era veterans can claim the benefits the state says they have earned. State Senator James Skoufis said: "Every veteran, regardless of when they served, deserves equal access to local, state, and federal benefits. These patriots dedicated their lives to our country and today's updates to our laws reflect a continued, deep appreciation for our veterans."
Bill A5578A/S1788A makes it easier for combat-zone veterans to qualify for additional property-tax exemptions by expanding the kinds of military records they can use as proof — including discharge records, military awards and records of hazardous-duty pay. State Senator Michelle Hinchey said the change grew out of a constituent's case: "I'm incredibly proud that our bill has been signed into law, so our veterans who have served on classified and submarine missions can now apply to receive the property tax relief they deserve. These veterans have put everything on the line for their country, and they should never face unnecessary barriers to the benefits that have been established to support them." Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter added: "As a veteran, I know how important it is that we honor those who have served, not just with words, but with meaningful action."
Cheaper home adaptations for disabled veterans
Bill A10921A/S10398A — the Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act — lets local governments waive or reduce the fees charged for home improvements a veteran needs because of a service-connected disability, such as ramps, widened doors and accessible bathrooms. State Senator Monica R. Martinez said: "Veterans who have given so much in service to our country shouldn't face a financial burden when they need to make their homes more accessible. These modifications are essential to helping former service members with disabilities safely remain in their homes." Assemblymember Steve Stern, chair of the Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee, said permitting fees and other administrative costs "can increase costs and delay needed improvements" for veterans returning with life-changing injuries.
Vehicle paperwork made simpler
Two bills deal with vehicles. A9351A/S8571A lets veterans with a 100 percent disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs use that existing federal rating to obtain license plates bearing the Universal Symbol of Access, instead of proving their disability again to the state. A11233A/S9806A lets members of the armed forces renew a vehicle registration early when it is set to expire while they are deployed or performing other official military duties. State Senator Chris Ryan, who sponsored both Senate bills, said the package makes "certain administrative processes easier for our veterans and active duty military," and Assemblymember William Magnarelli said he was proud to sponsor laws that "help our service-disabled veterans obtain universal symbol of access plates, and allow service members on deployment to renew their registrations early."
Free or discounted SUNY and CUNY gyms and pools
Bill A6001A/S7784A provides free or discounted memberships for veterans with disabilities at State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) campus gyms and swimming pools that are open to the general public. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, said: "New York is home to one of the largest veteran populations in our nation... Costs should never be a barrier for access to fitness facilities for disabled veterans who can benefit from the physical, mental, and emotional advantages they provide." Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said the initiative "will alleviate a financial burden for New York's veterans while increasing access to a more fit and healthier lifestyle."
Alongside the signings, the State Department of Veterans' Services announced $150,000 in funding for six nonprofit organizations through the Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Grant Program — $25,000 each — to expand therapeutic outdoor recreation supporting veterans' physical, mental and emotional well-being across the state. Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said: "On Veterans Day, we are reminded that honoring those who served our Nation requires more than words of gratitude. It requires meaningful action... As landmarks across New York State shine green tonight, they will serve as beacons of gratitude, reminding every Veteran that their service matters."
17 landmarks lit green, and what happens next
The governor directed 17 landmarks to be illuminated green on Wednesday evening for Operation Green Light, including One World Trade Center, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, Empire State Plaza, Grand Central Terminal's Pershing Square Viaduct, Moynihan Train Hall and the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. The campaign began in New York in 2021 as a collaboration of county governments and veterans service officers, and has since been adopted by the National Association of Counties and spread to hundreds of local governments nationwide. Kevin D. Watkins, president of the New York State Association of Counties, said the effort is "about more than illuminating buildings. It's about raising awareness, connecting veterans with resources, and ensuring they know their communities stand behind them."
The Hochul administration pointed to its wider record on veterans: about $4.6 million for 73 veterans organizations through the Veterans' Nonprofit Capital Program, an expanded Veterans Tuition Award, $350,000 for the Military Family Relief Fund, $1.1 million in state funding for suicide-prevention initiatives and about $1 million in Justice for Heroes grants for free legal services. For veterans in New York — including the many immigrant veterans in Queens, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, among them Punjabi-American and Sikh-American service members — the practical changes start with paperwork: broader proof accepted for tax exemptions, a faster route to access plates, early registration renewal during deployment, and local fee waivers for disability home adaptations. Veterans can check their eligibility through their county veterans service office, the officials who the state says connect veterans with the benefits they have earned.