Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration and the commissioned…

Official titleShow

Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration and the commissioned corps of the public health service

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

Latest action Dec 5, 2025

Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the NOAA and the commissioned corps of the public health service; expands access to certain benefits to those who served in the commissioned corps of the NOAA and the commissioned corps of the public health service.

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Where it stands

Signed into law.

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

New York State Senate

Same as A6264, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A6264, the matching Assembly bill.

Amends the Economic Development Law.

Committee

Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · New York State Senate

Also referred to Veterans' Affairs · New York State Assembly.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To ensure that the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) are represented under New York State law.

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

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 11, 2025Result: passedSenate vote on A6264, the matching Assembly bill.
(59) (0) (0) (4)
Vote: Committee vote · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military AffairsApr 29, 2025Result: passed
(8) (1) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Jake Ashby, Judy Griffin and 3 more on Agora

Democratic4
Republican1

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

Under federal law, those who served in the commissioned corps of NOAA and USPHS are eligible for various veterans benefits, similar to those who served in the United States armed forces. Although NOAA and USPHS are part of the military, some provisions of State law that define mili- tary and veteran benefits do not include them. This legislation clari- fies that they are included.NOAA members are part of the military serv- ing the public's mission of environmental science and stewardship across the country. Among its members are doctors, scientists, engineers, and environmental professionals. USPHS is part of the military serving the public across the country in roles of nurses, pharmacists, scientists, and health service workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these military members were important to keeping New Yorkers safe.

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 5, 2025
Signed
SIGNED CHAP.612
NY Assembly
Dec 1, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
NY Assembly
Jun 11, 2025
3RD Reading CAL.742
3RD READING CAL.742
NY Senate
Jun 11, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 11, 2025
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED BY A6264
NY Senate

Show full history (11 earlier events)

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.742
1ST REPORT CAL.742
NY Senate
Apr 2, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
Apr 2, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Apr 2, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
NY Senate
Apr 1, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
Apr 1, 2025
Rules Report CAL.132
RULES REPORT CAL.132
NY Assembly
Mar 11, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS
NY Assembly
Feb 20, 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.

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