What's happening
This bill allows individuals to honorably discharged veterans by displaying a U.S. flag on the New York Capitol building for a fee.
Why it matters
Creates a formal process for honoring veterans at the state level. , giving individuals a tangible way to publicly recognize the service of honorably discharged veterans by having a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol.
Introduces a fee structure for flag displays. , meaning there’s a cost associated, which could generate modest revenue for the state or offset administrative costs, but may also limit access for some families.
Requires official documentation and vetting through a standardized form. , ensuring that the veteran being honored is clearly identified and the reason for recognition is recorded, adding a layer of legitimacy and personal connection to each flag display.
Enhances public visibility of veteran recognition. , potentially fostering greater awareness of veterans’ contributions and encouraging civic participation in state traditions.
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
Honor Veterans With Capitol Flag
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Committed to rules
- Amended on third reading 2102a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.560
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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.
Honor Veterans with Flag Display
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2102--A Cal. No. 560
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the public buildings law, in relation to the display of flags upon the capitol building
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3 of the public buildings law, as amended by chapter 118 of the laws of 1962, is amended to read as follows:
2. cause the flags of the United States and the state flag bearing the arms of the state, to be displayed upon the capitol building during the daily sessions of the legislature and on public occasions, and cause the necessary flagstaffs to be erected therefor. Offer the opportunity to display a United States flag upon the capitol building on a specified date in honor of an honorably discharged veteran, such flag being purchased from the office of general services or owned by an individual, upon payment of a fee to be set by the commissioner of general services. The commissioner of general services shall prescribe a form for such purpose indicating the name of the veteran to be honored and providing a space to describe the reason why such veteran has been selected for recognition. Cause the flag of the United States to be appropriately displayed at all times in the senate chamber and in the assembly chamber. Cause the flag of the United States to be appropriately displayed upon the walls of any hall or other meeting place in a public building under his supervision and control during any meeting or gathering of persons to which the public is invited. The necessary expenses incurred thereby shall be paid out of the treasury on the warrant of the comptroller.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07891-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public buildings law, in relation to the display of flags upon the capitol building
Purpose
To honor veterans by bestowing on them, by request, a flag of the United States having been flown over the capitol building.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends § 3(2) of the Public Buildings Law requiring the Office of General Services offer the opportunity to display a United States flag upon the capitol building on a specified date in honor of an honorably discharged veteran for a fee set by the Commissioner of General Services. The Commissioner shall also prescribe a form for such purpose indicating the name of the veteran to be honored and describing the reason why such veteran has been selected for recognition.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Existing law
Section 3 of the Public Buildings Law establishes the general powers and duties of the Commissioner of General Services.
Subsection 2 of § 3 of the Public Buildings Law authorizes the Commissioner to cause the flags of the state, to be displayed up on the capitol building during daily sessions of the legislature and on public occasions, and cause the necessary flagstaffs to be erected therefor. Cause the flag on the United State to be appropriately displayed at all times in the Senate chamber and in the Assembly chamber. Cause the flag of the United State to be appropriately displayed up on the walls of any hall or other meeting place in a public building under his supervision and control during any meeting or gathering of persons to which the public is invited. The necessary expenses incurred thereby shall be paid out of the treasury on the warrant of the comptroller.
Justification
The heroism of our country's veterans cannot be over-exaggerated and for all of their efforts and sacrifices these servicemen and women deserve our highest regard and praise. In an effort to support and ensure New York State's continued commemoration of the invaluable legacy of service performed by our country's veterans, this bill requires the Office of General Services to fly a flag over the state capitol in their honor at the request of a loved one.
Currently, it is the practice of the office of General Services to fly a United States flag over the State Capitol for a requesting party at a fee. This legislation codifies that convention in the Public Buildings Law by requiring that the Office of General Services offer the opportunity to display a United States State flag over the capitol building honoring a veteran for a particular purpose on a specified date.
Veterans deserve infinite accolades for their indelible commitment to the country. This measure provides an additional way to grant them the appropriate honors. For all of the aforementioned reasons it is essential that this bill is enacted.
Legislative history
2015-2016: S.6224 Passed the Senate/A.9526 Referred to Governmental Operations
Fiscal implications
None.
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.