Senate veterans committee reports multiple bills to expand veteran definitions, require firefighter disability training and adjust property-tax exemptions

The New York State Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee on April 29 reported several bills to the Senate floor, including measures to expand who counts as a veteran for certain state credits and benefits, require minimum firefighter training on emergencies involving people with disabilities, and amend real property tax exemptions.

The measures matter because they would change eligibility for benefits and training requirements tied to public-safety responses. Committee members conducted brief readings of bill texts and disposed of each item by voice vote with little or no extended debate.

A summary of bills the committee reported:

• Bill (number not specified in the transcript): amend statutes to include members of the State’s force as members of the armed forces or as veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits. The committee read language referencing the Civil…