BILL NUMBER: S8493
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to providing a World War II service bonus for certain
veterans
 
PURPOSE:
To recognize and compensate New York residents who honorably served in
the armed forces of the United States during the period immediately
following the official end of World War II but prior to the federal
cutoff date for World War II veteran status, thereby correcting a
historic inequity in bonus eligibility.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 sets forth legislative findings and purpose, noting that indi-
viduals who served after September 2, 1945 but before December 31, 1946
were excluded from the World War II service bonus from New York State
despite federal recognition of their service as wartime.
Section 2, Subdivision 1 defines key terms including "Member of the
Armed Forces," "Qualifying Service," "Resident," and "Next of Kin."
Section 2, Subdivision 2 establishes bonus eligibility, providing for a
$250 payment to qualifying veterans or, if deceased, their next of kin.
Section 2, Subdivision 3 designates the Department of Veterans' Services
as the administering agency, permits the commissioner to adopt rules and
regulations as necessary to administer this act, establishes a "WWII
Veterans' Equity bonus fund" from existing funds, and provides for an
application period of 5 years from the effective date of this act.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Tens of thousands of New York residents served honorably in the armed
forces of the United States in the critical period immediately following
September 2, 1945, when World War II officially ended. These service
members were essential in the transition from wartime to peacetime,
ensuring global stability, supporting occupied territories, and safe-
guarding U.S. security interests.
However, due to the specific cutoff date in Article VII, Section 18 of
the state constitution, these individuals were excluded from the World
War II service bonus despite their federal recognition as wartime veter-
ans through December 31, 1946. This oversight created a historical ineq-
uity that failed to acknowledge their sacrifice. This bill corrects
that injustice by extending a modest but meaningful state-funded bonus
to these veterans or, if deceased, their surviving spouses, children,
parents, or siblings. It ensures that New York fully honors the service
of all those who answered the call during and immediately after the war,
closing a long-standing gap in recognition.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined. There are roughly 5000 living WWII veterans in New
York State with the vast majority already having received a WWII bonus.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.