Establishes voluntary opportunities for veterans

Latest action Dec 19, 2025

Requires the department of veterans' services to provide information on the department's website on volunteer opportunities available to veterans and to post relevant application forms that a qualified veteran can use to apply for volunteer opportunities.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Signed into law.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A8485, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A8485, the matching Assembly bill.

Amends the Veterans' Service Law.

Committee

Rules · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Rules · New York State Senate, Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · New York State Senate, Veterans' Affairs · New York State Assembly.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this bill is to increase awareness of volunteer opportu- nities available to veterans. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 of the bill requires the Department of Veteran Services to provide information on the department's we bsite on volunteer opportu- nities available to veterans and post any relevant application forms on the employment portal. Section 2 of the bill provides those local veterans' service agencies have an obligation to inform members of the uniformed services and their families of any volunteer opportunities at the department. Section three provides the effective date.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 12, 2025Result: passedSenate vote on A8485, the matching Assembly bill.
(59) (0) (0) (4)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMay 20, 2025Result: passed
(60) (1) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military AffairsApr 29, 2025Result: passed
(9) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Angelo Santabarbara, Judy Griffin and 5 more on Agora

Democratic5
Republican2

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

Many times veterans when they come back home want to continue to serve their community but they may not know how to start the process. This bill requires the Department of Veterans' Services to provide on their we bsite information about volunteering at a volunteer fire department or emergency services provider. Many voluntary fire departments and emergency services across the state are looking to increase the number of volunteers and this bill would tap into ready available qualified candidates.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Dec 19, 2025
Approval MEMO.47
APPROVAL MEMO.47
NY Assembly
Dec 19, 2025
Signed
SIGNED CHAP.666
NY Assembly
Dec 8, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
NY Assembly
Jun 12, 2025
3RD Reading CAL.738
3RD READING CAL.738
NY Senate
Jun 12, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate

Show full history (19 earlier events)

Jun 12, 2025
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED BY A8485
NY Senate
Jun 9, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
Jun 9, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jun 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 9, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
Jun 9, 2025
Rules Report CAL.534
RULES REPORT CAL.534
NY Assembly
Jun 6, 2025
Amended
AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 274B
NY Senate
Jun 6, 2025
Recalled From Assembly
RECALLED FROM ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 6, 2025
Returned to Senate
RETURNED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
May 20, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
May 20, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
May 20, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS
NY Assembly
May 19, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
May 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS
NY Assembly
May 1, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Apr 30, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Apr 29, 2025
1ST Report CAL.738
1ST REPORT CAL.738
NY Senate
Mar 19, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
NY Senate
Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

Your position