What's happening
This bill allows honorably discharged war veterans in New York to ride public transportation free for one year after returning.
Why it matters
Eases the financial burden of reintegration. By granting free public transportation for a year, the bill aims to help returning war veterans manage costs as they transition back to civilian life, potentially making it easier to find work, attend medical appointments, or pursue education.
Applies widely to transportation providers. The benefit covers not only public transit but also private and nonprofit entities that receive public funding, which broadens access and could make a real difference for veterans living in areas with varied transportation offerings.
Signals public recognition and gratitude. The policy serves as a tangible acknowledgment of veterans' service and sacrifice, reinforcing social support and respect from the state and community during a critical adjustment period.
Requires clear administrative implementation. The bill authorizes the commissioner of transportation to set regulations, which means details (like how veterans prove eligibility and how providers are reimbursed) will matter for the program’s effectiveness and ease of use.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Free Transit for Some Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3834
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, COOK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the military law, in relation to allowing certain veterans to ride public transportation free of charge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The military law is amended by adding a new section 245-a to read as follows:
§ 245-a. Free public transportation; certain war veterans. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law or the terms of any contract, a resident of the state who is a honorably discharged member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States who performed military service during a period of war shall be entitled, for the year immediately after his or her return to this state from such military service, to ride free of charge on every transportation provider in this state. The commissioner of transportation is authorized to promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. For purposes of this section, "transportation provider" shall mean any public, private or not-for-profit entity utilizing public funds to provide or contract for public transportation services for the benefit of the general public or specific client groups.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08871-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.