What's happening
This bill allows National Guard and military reserve members with at least 20 years of service to receive a veteran designation on New York driver's licenses and ID cards.
Why it matters
Broadens recognition of long-serving National Guard and military reserve members. The bill acknowledges those who have served at least 20 years, even if they may not have been called to active duty, giving them public recognition similar to traditional veterans.
Reduces administrative hurdles with specific proof requirements. By specifying which documents qualify as proof (e.g., NGB22 for National Guard, DD Form 256 and Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay for reservists), the bill provides clarity and consistency, making it easier for eligible individuals to access this benefit.
Enhances access to veteran-specific services and discounts. With the veteran designation on state IDs and licenses, eligible Guard and reserve retirees can more readily prove their status for benefits, discounts, or services offered to veterans by both public and private organizations.
Addresses equity among military retirees. The bill helps close a recognition gap between active duty retirees and those who served extensive careers in the Guard or reserves, potentially fostering greater respect and inclusion for all branches of military service.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Veteran ID Mark Eligibility
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2825
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to special designation for veterans on driver's licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a-1) of subdivision 1 of section 504 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 429 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
(a-1) Every license or renewal thereof issued to an applicant who was a member of the armed forces of the United States and received an honorable discharge or was released therefrom under honorable conditions, or was a member of the National guard or military reserves who served at least twenty years shall, upon his or her request and submission of proof as set forth herein, contain a distinguishing mark, in such form as the commissioner shall determine, indicating that he or she is a veteran. Such proof shall consist of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty including but not limited to a DD Form 214 , or in the case of a National guard member an NGB22 Form indicating twenty years of service, or in the case of a military reservist a DD Form 256 and a Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay letter, or other proof satisfactory to the commissioner. The commissioner shall not require fees for the issuance of such licenses or renewals thereof to persons requesting a veteran distinguishing mark which are different from fees otherwise required; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner shall not require fees for a duplication or amendment of a license prior to its renewal if such duplication or amendment was solely for the purpose of adding a veteran distinguishing mark to such license.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08574-03-9
S. 2825 2
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 429 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
(b) The identification card shall contain a distinguishing number or mark and adequate space upon which an anatomical gift, pursuant to article forty-three of the public health law, by the holder may be recorded and shall contain such other information and shall be issued in such form as the commissioner shall determine; provided, however, every identification card or renewal thereof issued to a person under the age of twenty-one years shall have prominently imprinted thereon the statement "UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE" in notably distinctive print or format. Provided, further, however, that every identification card issued to an applicant who was a member of the armed forces of the United States and received an honorable discharge or was released therefrom under honorable conditions, or was a member of the National guard or military reserves who served at least twenty years shall, upon his or her request and submission of proof as set forth herein, contain a distinguishing mark, in such form as the commissioner shall determine, indicating that he or she is a veteran. Such proof shall consist of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty including but not limited to a DD Form 214, or in the case of a National guard member an NGB22 Form indicating twenty years of service, or in the case of a military reservist a DD Form 256 and a Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay letter, or other proof satisfactory to the commissioner. The commissioner shall not require fees for the issuance of such identification cards or renewals thereof to persons under twenty-one years of age which are different from the fees required for the issuance of identification cards or renewals thereof to persons twenty-one years of age or over, nor fees to persons requesting a veteran distinguishing mark which are different from fees that would otherwise be required. Provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of section four hundred ninety-one of this article, the commissioner shall not require any fees for the duplication or amendment of an identification card prior to its renewal if such duplication or amendment was solely for the purpose of adding a veteran distinguishing mark to such identification card.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to special designation for veterans on driver's licenses
Purpose
This legislation updates state law to federal standard by allowing for members of the Reserves and National Guard who have completed twenty or more years of service and have received an honorable discharge to acquire the veteran designation on their driver's license or non-driver ID.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 and Section 2 amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law to allow National Guardsmen and Reservists to receive the "Veteran" designation on their license or non-driver ID if they can produce certain documenta- tion to prove their service and honorable discharge.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
In 2016, the Federal Government amended Public Law 114-315 to include those who have completed 20 or more years of service, without being elevated to Active Duty, with the Reserves or National Guard to be considered veterans. Allowing these men and women the ability to get the designation on their license is another way we can honor their service and dedication to our country.
The NGB22 proves honorable discharge and length of service for National Guardsmen. The DD256 proves honorable discharge for reservists and the Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay letter proves length of service for reservists.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.