What's happening
This bill requires New York flags to be flown at half-staff to honor any state resident in the armed forces killed in action.
Why it matters
Provides a uniform statewide protocol. The bill removes discretion from local agencies and mandates that both the Governor and all local governments must lower flags to half-staff when any New York resident serving in the armed forces is killed in action, ensuring consistent recognition across the state.
Expands official recognition. Previously, flag lowering for deceased servicemembers was at the judgment of local agencies. This change guarantees formal, public acknowledgment for every New Yorker in the armed forces killed in action, not just those recognized by local officials.
Signals state solidarity with military families. By automatically honoring all fallen service members from New York, the state sends a clear message of respect and shared mourning to their families and communities, reinforcing that their sacrifice is valued at the highest level of state 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 government agencies
All local agencies in New York would have to order flags flown at half-staff for those deaths, rather than rely on local discretion to honor a servicemember.
New York military families
Families of New York residents killed in action would receive a mandatory statewide flag tribute commemorating their loved ones.
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 finance
- Referred to finance
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 Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3285
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill directs that the flag be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of members of the United States armed forces who were killed in action.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 21 of section 403 of the executive law is amended to direct the Governor and all local agencies of New York State to order flags to be flown at half-staff upon the death of any member of the armed forces of who was a resident of the state and was killed in action.
Section 2. Provides for an immediate effective date.
Justification
Currently the executive law provides for the flag to be flown at half- staff on September 11, known as September 11th Remembrance Day, December 7th, known as Pearl Harbor Day and to commemorate the death of a person 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. This legislation seeks to ensure that the flag is flown at half-staff upon the death of every member of the armed forces who was a resident of New York State and who was killed in action.
Our country has a long-standing tradition of lowering the flag to half- staff to recognize the passing of certain citizens. It is only fitting that we respectfully honor the memory of all of our New York fallen heroes who are killed in action. Out of respect to mourning families and friends of our deceased heroes, it is the intent of this bill to recog- nize every member of the armed forces who is a resident of our state and who has been killed in action. There is no greater sacrifice an individ- ual can make than to give his or her life for this nation. We proudly remember these men and women who have paid the ultimate price in service of America at such a solemn time.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.8230 - Passed Senate/A.8771 - Referred to Governmental Oper- ations
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
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.