New York Assembly Bill A08089

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/24/25
• Refer: 4/24/25
• Report Pass: 4/28/25
• Engrossed: 5/5/25
• Refer: 5/5/25
• Engrossed: 3/9/26
• Refer: 3/9/26

Caption

Establishes a New York state veterans' and service member law book of a compilation of all state statutes governing the rights, privileges, benefits and services afforded to veterans, service members and their families.

Summary

A08089 would require the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services to annually publish and keep current a “veterans’ and service member law book” containing a compilation of all state statutes that govern the rights, privileges, benefits, and services available to veterans, service members, and their families. The compilation must be annotated with commentary and citations to relevant case law, Attorney General/general counsel opinions, and agency regulations so that users can better understand how the laws are interpreted and applied. The bill also directs the department to reference the compilation during the seminars it already provides under the Veterans’ Services Law. The law book must be available in both print and electronic formats, with the electronic version prominently posted on the department’s website and print copies provided on request to veterans, service members, family members, and advocates. The bill takes effect immediately.

Impact

This bill would add a new duty to the Veterans’ Services Law by requiring the Department of Veterans’ Services to maintain and distribute an updated legal reference guide for veterans and service members. It does not create new substantive benefits, but it changes administrative obligations by mandating annual publication, website posting, seminar use, and public access to a consolidated legal resource covering veterans’ rights and related statutes.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously and then passed the full Assembly by a vote of 147-0, indicating strong bipartisan or at least noncontroversial backing. No committee transcript or recorded opposition is provided, and the bill’s purpose appears informational and service-oriented rather than politically divisive.

Contention

No specific points of contention are reflected in the available materials. Because the bill is focused on compiling and explaining existing law rather than changing eligibility rules or benefit levels, likely concerns would center on administrative workload, publication costs, and keeping the compilation current, but no member objections are documented in the provided record. The unanimous committee and floor votes indicate that any such concerns were not significant enough to generate opposition.