Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

AJR 84: Designates May 1st of each year as "Silver Star Service Banner Day" in New Jersey.

AJR 84 designates May 1st of each year as "Silver Star Service Banner Day" in New Jersey to honor service members and veterans who were wounded, ill, or injured during military service. The bill directly affects these individuals and their families, recognizing their sacrifices through the symbolic Silver Star Service Banner. Key provisions require the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day with appropriate activities. This resolution is procedural, aligning New Jersey with the nationally recognized observance established by Congress in 2010.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

AR 70: Memorializes Department of Defense to authorize changes on certain military service forms of veterans who are transgender.

This bill (AR 70) requests the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender veterans to update their DD Form 214 (military discharge record) to reflect their current legal names and gender identities. It directly affects transgender veterans who face barriers in accessing benefits like medical care, employment preferences, and funeral services due to outdated information on their military records. The resolution asks the Defense Department to authorize these changes so veterans can match their discharge documents with their current legal identity, eliminating mismatches that cause discrimination or benefit denials. The bill does not create new law but formally urges the DOD to amend its policy on these historical military service forms.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 1877: Provides for retained eligibility for members of NJ National Guard or reserve component called to active federal military service who met fire department maximum age requirement at closing date of civil service examination.

This bill (A1877) helps New Jersey National Guard members and reserve military personnel who were called to active federal duty before their civil service exam list expired. It ensures they retain eligibility for fire department positions if they met the maximum age requirement at the original exam's closing date. The law allows them to be placed on a new civil service list using their original exam score, without reapplying for age eligibility, and covers both fire department and existing police department positions under similar rules. The policy applies to those returning from military service who qualify as veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 3790: Permits certain non-US citizen military service members to take civil service examinations and be eligible for civil service veterans preference.

This bill allows non-U.S. citizen military service members (who haven't renounced U.S. citizenship) to take New Jersey civil service exams and qualify for veterans' preference. It directly affects active-duty service members in the U.S. military who are not citizens but maintain U.S. citizenship status. Key provisions require these individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship 10 business days before employment lists are issued, and to meet standard veteran status criteria (discharge under honorable conditions, service records, etc.). The bill updates New Jersey's civil service rules to align with veterans' preference eligibility for this group during active service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

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

A 1436: Authorizes special license plates for members of the United States Coast Guard.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring the U.S. Coast Guard seal for active or honorably separated Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, or principal business owners. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually appropriates money to the Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard emblem, and the design is developed jointly with the Coast Guard, covering administrative costs through the fund. The program is procedural, focusing on recognition and funding for the Coast Guard through license plate fees, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 4386: Permits fair share affordable housing bonus credit for certain transitional housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to earn bonus credits toward their affordable housing requirements by including transitional housing reserved for veterans. Specifically, municipalities receive one credit and one bonus credit for each bedroom in such housing occupied by low- or moderate-income veterans for at least 10 years. Transitional housing is defined as housing with supportive services helping homeless veterans move to permanent housing within 24 months. The bill applies to veterans discharged from active military service (excluding certain court-martial discharges) who are New Jersey residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Housing

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

A 1464: Creates database of veteran separation documents.

New Jersey's Bill A 1464 creates a state database for storing digital copies of veterans' separation documents (like DD-214 forms), directly affecting veterans and their families seeking benefits. Veterans or family members can voluntarily submit documents digitally, with originals returned promptly - no fee for submission (only a small shipping fee for returns). The database is accessible only to public agencies (e.g., state departments) to verify eligibility for veteran benefits, strictly prohibits public access under open records laws, and imposes fines for misuse (up to $2,000 or 100 days in jail). The bill ensures privacy, streamlines benefit verification, and defines "veteran" broadly to include National Guard service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 936: Waives certain professional and occupational licensing fees for veterans and spouses of veterans.

This bill waives initial application and issuance fees for professional and occupational licenses in New Jersey for veterans and their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners who already hold a current, equivalent license in another state. It applies when the applicant resides in New Jersey and the out-of-state license meets the board's equivalent or substantially equivalent requirements. The exemption covers all licenses issued by professional boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill does not affect renewal fees or licenses obtained through other pathways.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment Tags Licensing

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

A 2830: Exempts veterans from camping facilities fees at State parks and forests.

This bill exempts veterans from paying camping facilities fees at New Jersey State parks and forests. It specifically eliminates fees for campsites, cabins, lean-tos, and shelters for any veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Merchant Marine (World War II). The policy applies to all veterans using these facilities, as defined by state law to include those meeting federal eligibility criteria for veterans' benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 4137: New Jersey Battlefield to Boardroom Act; Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for qualified wages of certain veterans.

The New Jersey Battlefield to Boardroom Act provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses that hire veterans meeting specific criteria. Businesses can claim a credit equal to 10% of qualified wages paid to veterans (capped at $1,200 per veteran annually) for wages earned between 2026 and 2029. To qualify, businesses must hire at least 25% veterans as new employees, maintain 50% of veterans hired the previous year, and provide veteran support services and recruitment efforts. The credit cannot exceed 50% of the business tax liability and is void if wages are claimed for other state benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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