What's happening
This bill directs a study on making the Division of Veterans' Services an independent agency and reports findings within one year.
Why it matters
Potential for Greater Autonomy. The study will explore what it could mean for veterans' services to operate independently from the Governor’s office, which could lead to more focused and potentially less politicized support for veterans.
Leadership and Accountability Changes. Evaluating the shift from a director to a cabinet-level commissioner may mean more influence in government decision-making and a direct voice for veterans at the highest executive levels.
Impact on Existing Programs and Services. By assessing which veteran programs could move under a new, independent agency, the study could lay the groundwork for streamlined or expanded services—potentially improving how veterans access benefits.
Fiscal and Operational Considerations. The mandated cost analysis will give lawmakers and the public insight into whether creating an independent agency would require significant new funding, or if it could be cost-neutral or even save money in the long run.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Veterans Agency Independence
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans' affairs
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9149
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. ASHBY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
AN ACT in relation to directing the division of veterans' services to conduct a study on converting the division of veterans' services to an administrative agency independent of the executive department; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 1. (a) The division of veterans' services shall conduct a study on converting the division of veterans' services into an administrative agency independent of the executive department.
(b) Such study shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) replacing the director of veterans' services with a cabinet-level commissioner of veterans' services;
(ii) what effects, if any, such conversion would have on the veterans living in New York state;
(iii) determining which current veterans programs operated by the state could be assumed by the division upon conversion to an administrative agency; and
(iv) the costs associated with conversion of the division into an administrative agency.
2. On or before one year from the effective date of this act, the division of veterans' services shall submit such study to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, all members of the senate committee on veterans, homeland security and military affairs, and the assembly committee on veterans' affairs.
3. The division of veterans' services may request, and is authorized to receive, any information from any state agency that is relevant and material to the completion of such study. Such information received by the division of veterans' services shall be subject to the same requirements for confidentiality and limitations on use, if any, as are applicable to such state agency's use of such information.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14229-01-9
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.