Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3772: Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities.

This bill allows veterans living in New Jersey State veterans' residential facilities to have service dogs and emotional support dogs on-site. It requires facilities to permit these animals under federal guidelines but adds that emotional support animals (not covered by federal law) are now explicitly allowed. Facilities may deny access if animals aren't controlled, aren't trained to eliminate waste outdoors, or pose health/safety risks, and veterans must provide documentation confirming the animal's certification and current vaccinations. The bill directly affects veterans with disabilities who rely on these animals for support.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows emotional support animals in veterans' facilities beyond federal requirements, expanding care access and enhancing service options for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3635: Requires partial State reimbursement to municipalities for cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.

This bill requires New Jersey to reimburse municipalities for a portion of lost property tax revenue caused by exempting permanently disabled veterans' primary homes from property taxes. It directly affects disabled veterans who qualify for the total exemption (e.g., those with paraplegia, blindness, or amputations from service-connected disabilities) and the municipalities that collect property taxes. The state must pay each municipality 10% of the exempted tax amount annually, plus an additional 2% to cover administrative costs. Currently, municipalities bear the full cost of these exemptions without state reimbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState reimburses municipalities 10% of lost tax revenue from veteran exemptions, maintaining municipal budgets without defunding local services.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses municipalities for lost revenue from disabled veterans' property tax exemption, ensuring continued benefit without local fiscal burden.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2939: Provides property tax deduction up to $5,000 to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability rating less than 100 percent.

This New Jersey bill (A2939) provides a $5,000 annual property tax deduction for honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability rating below 100%, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses under specific conditions) who own real property in New Jersey. The deduction reduces their property tax bill by up to $5,000 annually, and if their tax bill is less than $5,000, it is fully canceled. The bill amends existing property tax laws to add this deduction for veterans with disabilities not rated at 100% permanent disability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct property tax deduction ($5,000 annual reduction) for qualifying veterans, reducing their tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides $5,000 property tax deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities, expanding financial benefits and directly supporting veterans' economic well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4173: Creates Veterans Affairs Oversight Board.

This bill creates a Veterans Affairs Oversight Board within New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to monitor all state programs and services for veterans and military families. The board will oversee veteran service officers, state agencies providing these services, and their programs, requiring agencies to submit biannual reports on services delivered and appoint liaisons. Board members will be appointed from veteran service organizations and elected to lead, with mandatory monthly meetings and annual budget reviews for veteran programs. This structure aims to enhance accountability and transparency in how state resources support veterans and their families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates Veterans Affairs Oversight Board to monitor, report on, and improve state veteran services and programs, strengthening oversight and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 1900: Establishes price preference program on State contracts for businesses owned by women veterans or women in military service.

This bill creates a 10% price preference for businesses owned by women veterans or women actively serving in the U.S. military when bidding on New Jersey state contracts paid with public funds. Qualified businesses must be independently owned, have their main office in New Jersey, be at least 51% owned/controlled by eligible women, and have daily operations managed by them. If such a business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% preference, the state must award it the contract. The preference also continues if a woman owner dies and her spouse assumes ownership of the business.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates 10% price preference for women veteran-owned businesses in state contracts, directly supporting veteran economic opportunity and employment through targeted procurement benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 651: Extends Class Two special law enforcement training for time deployed.

Bill A 651 extends the certification period for Class Two special law enforcement officers who are members of the U.S. military. Currently, these officers (who have full police powers and can carry firearms) are certified for three years after completing training. This bill automatically extends that three-year period by the exact amount of time the officer was deployed in active military service, eliminating the need to retake training. The extension applies to military members including all branches, National Guard, and the merchant marine under federal law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends certification for military-connected law enforcement officers, removing barrier to continued employment after deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2365: Permits spouses and dependents of military service members to qualify for in-State tuition in event that service member is transferred to another state.

New Jersey bill A2365 extends in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of military service members who move due to a service member's transfer. It allows these individuals to maintain in-state tuition rates at public colleges in New Jersey if they were already enrolled before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill specifically applies to spouses and dependents who were attending school in New Jersey prior to the military relocation, ensuring they don't lose tuition benefits during temporary moves. This change directly affects military families facing frequent relocations, removing a barrier to educational affordability during service-related transfers. The policy update amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to include these scenarios without requiring new funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends in-state tuition access to military dependents, reducing financial barriers for higher education enrollment per bill A2365.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill extends in-state tuition to military families during relocations, directly supporting educational access for dependents of service members - a key component of veteran and military family benefit policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4161: Authorizes special plate for holders of "Combat Action Ribbon."

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow veterans who hold a Combat Action Ribbon (as certified by their military discharge documents, such as a DD-214) to obtain the "Combat Infantryman Badge" license plate, which was previously only available to those with a Combat Infantryman Badge. The special plate, featuring the Combat Infantryman Badge emblem and the words "Combat Infantryman Badge," will now be accessible to Marines and other veterans awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. A $15 additional fee applies for this plate, beyond standard vehicle registration costs. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may continue to display the plate on their vehicle under existing provisions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran recognition by allowing Combat Action Ribbon holders to obtain special license plate previously restricted to Combat Infantryman Badge recipients.90% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2867: Extends eligibility for property tax benefits to veterans, 100 percent service-disabled veterans, and senior citizens and persons with disabilities who pay payments in lieu of property taxes.

This bill extends an existing property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities (such as paraplegia, amputation, or total blindness) and their eligible surviving spouses to include those who pay "payments in lieu of property taxes" in urban renewal areas. It also clarifies that tenant shareholders in cooperative housing can claim the exemption for their proportionate share of taxes, provided the veteran or surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary. The exemption applies to the primary residence and is in addition to other existing property tax benefits, without replacing other available exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends property tax exemption to veterans and seniors, providing tax relief for lower-income groups per Budget & Taxes indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends property tax exemptions to veterans and disabled tenants in co-ops, reducing housing costs for specific groups, aligning with affordable housing support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends property tax exemption to more veterans, including service-disabled veterans in urban renewal areas and co-ops, directly advancing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3527: Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act.

This bill creates New Jersey's Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act to protect active-duty military members, National Guard personnel, reservists called to duty, and their dependents. It allows courts to pause civil proceedings (like debt collection or evictions) during military service and prevents creditors from denying or changing credit terms solely because someone is serving. Dependents may also seek relief if military service harms their ability to meet lease or contract obligations. The law ensures New Jersey's protections meet or exceed federal standards for military members' civil and property rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents evictions and protects lease obligations for military tenants during service, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects active-duty military and dependents from civil proceedings during service, preventing financial harm and supporting stability during military duty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve

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