NYS residency rules are determined by our state Board of Regents. Each SUNY campus is responsible for determining if their applicants meet the requirements, but I don’t believe they get to interpret the rules however they want.
We do have exceptions for military personnel. I think our rules state that parents can be stationed elsewhere and their children can still be eligible for state rates, but families should check the SUNY website for the specifics. Students who hope to get state aid should note that even though they’re considered independent for federal aid when they turn 24, they’re not independent for NYS grants until they’re 35.