What's happening
This bill requires flags in New York to be flown at half-staff to honor state residents in the armed forces killed in action.
Why it matters
Formalizes statewide recognition. Mandates that both the Governor and all local agencies must lower flags to half-staff for every New York resident in the armed forces killed in action, ensuring consistent, official recognition of their sacrifice across the state.
Creates a visible public tribute. The policy guarantees a public, visual display of mourning and respect, which can help foster greater community awareness and honor for military families.
Removes local discretion for military deaths. Previously, decisions about lowering flags for local service members were left to the "opinion of the local agency"; this amendment makes it a clear, automatic requirement for all eligible cases, reducing potential disparities or oversights.
Could impact community and military morale. By standardizing this gesture, the bill may strengthen the bond between the state, its communities, and military families, reinforcing the message that New York collectively values and remembers its fallen service members.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Honor Fallen NY Service Members
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental 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.
Lower Flags for Fallen Soldiers
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8771
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
November 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to authorizing the flag to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of certain members of the armed forces
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 21 of section 403 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 666 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
21. The flag shall be flown at full staff at all times except it shall be flown at half-staff on the eleventh of September, known as September 11th Remembrance Day, the seventh day of December, known as Pearl Harbor Day, and to commemorate the death of a personage of national or state standing or of a local serviceman, official or public servant who, in the opinion of the local agency concerned, contributed to the community. It may also be flown at half-staff during special periods of mourning designated by the President of the United States or the Governor of this state. The Governor and all local agencies of this state shall order flags to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of any member of the armed forces of the United States who was a resident of the state and was killed in the course of action.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13697-01-7
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.