What's happening
This bill requires flags in New York to be flown at half-staff for state residents in the armed forces killed in action.
Why it matters
Ensures statewide recognition. By mandating all state and local agencies to lower flags for any New York resident killed in action, the bill guarantees uniform, visible respect for fallen service members, rather than leaving such gestures to local discretion.
Creates a public moment of mourning. Lowering the flag statewide whenever a resident dies in military action not only honors the individual but also serves as a collective act of mourning and awareness for the broader community.
Highlights state commitment to military families. This gesture formally acknowledges the sacrifices made by service members and their families, reinforcing the state's support and appreciation at the highest levels of government.
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Who cares
Governor’s office
The bill would require the governor to order flags flown at half-staff to commemorate any New York resident serving in the U.S. armed forces who was killed in action.
Local agencies
All local agencies in New York would have to order flags flown at half-staff for these deaths, rather than relying on local discretion to recognize a servicemember’s community contributions.
Families of fallen servicemembers
Families of New York residents killed in action would receive a required flag tribute from the state and local agencies.
Headline styles
Lower Flags for Fallen Soldiers
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 Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7142
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 10, 2019
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.
LBD09195-01-9
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.