What's happening
This bill creates the Governor's Military Council to support and expand New York's military activities, defense jobs, and quality of life for service members.
Why it matters
Ensures coordinated state advocacy for military bases and jobs. By creating a centralized council, New York can more effectively protect its existing military installations from closure or downsizing, and actively compete for new missions and federal investments, which may safeguard thousands of local jobs and billions in economic activity.
Promotes cross-sector collaboration. The council is designed to foster cooperation between military leaders, state economic and labor officials, and local governments, potentially leading to faster solutions for infrastructure, workforce, and community issues affecting service members and the defense industry.
Supports veterans and transitioning service members. The council’s mandate includes developing outreach and employment opportunities for those leaving military service, which could improve veteran employment rates and help New York retain highly skilled workers.
Targets regional economic growth around bases. By focusing on growing defense-related industries near military installations, the bill aims to boost local economies, diversify job opportunities, and make base-hosting communities more resilient to changes in federal defense policy.
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Who cares
Division of Military and Naval Affairs
The bill would establish the governor’s military council within the division to recommend strategies for protecting and expanding New York’s military activities.
Military base communities and local governments
The council would include representation from areas with military bases, including Kings, Jefferson, Orange and Saratoga counties, and help local governments improve military families’ quality of life.
Defense-related businesses near military installations
The council would recommend strategies to grow these industries and create additional defense-related jobs.
Active-duty and reserve personnel, military families and transitioning service members
The council would pursue quality-of-life initiatives and explore opportunities for people leaving military service to use their skills in the state workforce.
Headline styles
Create Governor's Military Council
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1102
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. GRAY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the governor's military council
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 192 to read as follows:
§ 192. Governor's military council. 1. There is hereby established within the division of military and naval affairs a council to be known as the "governor's military council". The mission of the governor's military council is to grow and protect major military activities located in the state of New York, to leverage such military activities into creating additional defense related jobs, and to help local units of government improve the quality of life of members of the armed forces and their families in this state.
2. (a) The governor's military council shall consist of no more than twelve members, each to serve for a term of three years. Such members shall be appointed as follows: one member shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and eight members shall be appointed by the governor. Of the twelve members, such members shall include the adjutant general, the commissioner of economic development, the commissioner of labor, and the director of the division of veterans' affairs, or their designated representatives. Of the twelve members, such members shall include one member from each area in this state in which a military base is located, including Kings county, Jefferson county, Orange county, and Saratoga county. The governor shall designate one member as chairperson, and may designate other officers as deemed appropriate. Base or post
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02313-01-5
commanders may serve as ex-officio members of the council. Appointments shall be made within sixty days of the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the council shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
(b) The members of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall receive no compensation for services performed or reimbursement for expenses incurred pursuant to this section. The members shall meet upon the call of the chairperson as necessary to carry out the duties set forth in subdivision three of this section.
3. The duties of the governor's military council shall be to initiate, study, and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature, with respect to strategies to:
(a) optimize the military presence in this state through the removal of operational impediments, increasing operating efficiencies, and recruitment or acquisition of new missions and force structure;
(b) foster close, effective cooperation among the installations, and public and private sectors throughout the state;
(c) pursue initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all active and reserve component military personnel;
(d) explore and develop outreach opportunities for individuals discharging or retiring from military service to use their talents and skills as members of the state workforce;
(e) assist in the development, coordination, and execution of strategies required by any future change in missions proposed by the department of defense; and
(f) grow defense-related industries in areas around the state's military bases and installations.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.