What's happening
This bill allows veterans with disabilities who have a Lifetime Liberty Pass to request a special distinguishing mark on their driver's license or state ID card at no additional cost.
Why it matters
Improves identification and access. By adding a Lifetime Liberty Pass mark on licenses and IDs, veterans with disabilities can more easily prove eligibility for state park and recreation discounts, reducing the need to carry extra paperwork.
Reduces administrative and financial burden. The bill waives any extra fees for updating or duplicating a license or ID solely to add this mark, making it cost-free for eligible veterans to receive the benefit.
Enhances recognition of veteran status. The special mark helps law enforcement, park staff, and others quickly identify qualifying veterans, potentially streamlining access to benefits and services.
Supports dignity and independence. Allowing the distinguishing mark empowers veterans with disabilities by granting them a simple, official way to assert their rights and benefits in everyday interactions.
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Who cares
Veterans with disabilities who hold a Lifetime Liberty Pass
Eligible veterans could request a pass-holder mark on their driver's license or non-driver ID without additional issuance or renewal fees.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
The agency would add the requested marks, determine their form and accept documentation establishing eligibility.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Department of Environmental Conservation
The mark would identify holders of the Lifetime Liberty Pass, which provides qualified veterans with disabilities discounted use of facilities these agencies operate.
Headline styles
Veteran ID Mark for Pass
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
605
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON, JACKSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing the issuance of licenses and non-driver identification cards containing a Lifetime Liberty Pass distinguishing mark
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 504 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (a-2) to read as follows:
(a-2) Every license or renewal thereof issued to an applicant who: (i) was a member of the armed forces of the United States; (ii) received an honorable discharge or was released therefrom under honorable conditions; and (iii) qualifies for and has received a Lifetime Liberty Pass permitting qualified veterans with disabilities discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation and the state department of environmental conservation, shall, upon such person's request and submission of proof as set forth herein, contain a distinguishing mark, in such form as the commissioner shall determine, indicating that such person is a holder of a Lifetime Liberty Pass. Such proof shall consist of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty including but not limited to a DD Form 214, a copy of such person's Lifetime Liberty Pass 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 Lifetime Liberty Pass 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 to such license.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02033-01-5
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) Every identification card or renewal thereof issued to an applicant who: (i) was a member of the armed forces of the United States; (ii) received an honorable discharge or was released therefrom under honorable conditions; and (iii) qualifies for and has received a Lifetime Liberty Pass permitting qualified veterans with disabilities discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation and the state department of environmental conservation, shall, upon such person's request and submission of proof as set forth herein, contain a distinguishing mark, in such form as the commissioner shall determine, indicating that such person is a holder of a Lifetime Liberty Pass. Such proof shall consist of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty including but not limited to a DD Form 214, a copy of such person's Lifetime Liberty Pass 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 requesting a Lifetime Liberty Pass 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 an identification card prior to its renewal if such duplication or amendment was solely for the purpose of adding a Lifetime Liberty Pass distinguishing mark to such identification card.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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.