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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 136a
- Amend and recommit to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Establishes the New York state veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance fund
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S136A
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a gift for veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance which may be made on personal income tax return; and to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing the New York state veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance fund
Purpose
This bill would create a New York State veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance fund supported by a state income tax "check off' which would permit taxpayers to provide a gift to operate and maintain state veterans' cemeteries.
Summary of provisions
Section 1- adds a new section 627-a to the tax law providing for a gift for veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance through a contribution on the personal income tax return.
Section 2- adds a new section 89-h to the state finance law establishing the "New York State veterans' cemetery operation and maintenance fund." Moneys in this fund shall be expended for the purposes of the operation and maintenance of state veteran's cemeteries.
Justification
Congress established the State Cemetery Grants Program in 1976 to assist states and US territories in the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans cemeteries. These state cemeteries provide a complement to the federal designated site and in no way are intended to replace them. Presently, there are no state cemeteries in New York State.
The Veterans Administration provides funding for up to 100 percent of the cost of establishing state cemeteries, but does not provide assistance for operation and maintenance. To date, the Veterans Administration has awarded 135 grants, totaling more than $189 million, to 29 states and Guam for the establishment, expansion, or improvement of 55 veterans cemeteries. In 2001 alone, state cemeteries accommodated over 15,000 burials. In 2006, the number of veteran deaths is expected to peak at 687,000. There will be a savings in burial costs to New York State veterans as the V.A. provides a plot or interment allowance to the state for burial at a state veterans' cemetery.
With the increasing age of our veterans, it is imperative that we provide the option of burial at a state veterans' cemetery. This bill would provide a mechanism by which to fund the operation and maintenance of these cemeteries.
Legislative history
2011: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.226 Veterans' Affairs 2010: S.287 Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.6942 Veterans' Affairs 2009: S.287 Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.6942 Ways & Means 2008: S.1110-A 3rd Reading/A.7204-A Passed Assembly 2007: S.1110 3rd Reading/A.7204 Ways & Means 2006: S.737-A Finance 2005: S.737 3rd Reading 2004: S.7489 Rules
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.