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Senate bill · S7779 (2025-26)

Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers

Latest action May 28, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A951, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Sponsor

Nathalia Fernandez

State Senator, District 34 · Democratic

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Summary

Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers; defines "veteran" as a person who is a resident of this state, who served in the armed forces of the United States, and was honorably discharged from the armed forces, or has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 30, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To create a distinctive license that would honor The Borinqueneers of the 65th Infantry Regiment.

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

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Transportation · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Transportation · New York State Senate.

Cosponsors

Chantel Jackson, Chris Tague and 10 more on Agora

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic9
  • Republican3

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Nathalia Fernandez says this is needed

The Borinqueneers (referring to "Borinquen," Puerto Rico's precolonial name) of the 65th Infantry Regiment, composed largely of Puerto Rican soldiers, provided valiant military efforts for the United States in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. For their sacrifices, the regiment has been awarded 10 Distinguished Service Crosses (one was upgraded to the Medal of Honor), 256 Silver Stars, 606 Bronze Stars, and 2,771 Purple Hearts. Members of the Borinqueneer regiment endured years of unfair treatment and discrimination while fighting for the United States, even after gallant efforts had earned them numerous combat distinctions. The regiment's illustrious legacy has begun to receive the commendation it deserves. In 2014, President Barack Obama signed bills H.R. 1726 and S. 1174 awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment. In 2016, the regiment was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal and it was unveiled in Congress' Emancipation Hall. Now, April 13 is officially recognized as "National Borinqueneers Day," recognizing "the bravery, service, and sacrifice" of the 65th Infantry Regiment. This bill would effectively cement the legacy and history of The Borinqueneers through a distinctive license plate that would not only honor the sacrifices made by the members of the regiment but would also serve as a commemorative display for their resiliency in the face of prejudice and tribulation.

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.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateMay 28, 2026Result: passed

    (60) (0) (0) (3)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Transportation

    Senate TransportationApr 21, 2026Result: passed

    (13) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Transportation

    Senate TransportationMay 20, 2025Result: passed

    (13) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. May 28, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  2. May 28, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. May 28, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Assembly

  4. Apr 27, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  5. Apr 22, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

Show full history (9 earlier events)
  1. Apr 21, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.781

    1ST REPORT CAL.781

    NY Senate

  2. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Senate

  3. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Assembly

  4. Jun 13, 2025

    In committee

    COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  5. May 22, 2025

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  6. May 21, 2025

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  7. May 20, 2025

    1ST Report CAL.1242

    1ST REPORT CAL.1242

    NY Senate

  8. May 6, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Senate

  9. Jan 8, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    NY Assembly