Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 1053: Permits purchase of service credit in PERS, TPAF, PFRS, and SPRS for period of enrollment in military service academy.

This bill allows members of New Jersey's state retirement systems (PERS, TPAF, PFRS, and SPRS) who attended a military service academy (e.g., West Point, Annapolis) to purchase retirement credit for that period of enrollment. Members can buy up to 10 years of credit (with an additional 5 years for qualifying veteran service), paying into the retirement fund via installments or a lump sum. The bill specifies payment amounts based on salary or contributions, with no employer liability for these payments. It directly affects current or former state employees who served at military academies before joining a New Jersey public retirement system.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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

A 1911: Requires counties to specify expenditures concerning veterans' services when submitting budget to Division of Local Government Services in DCA.

This bill (A 1911) requires New Jersey counties to separately list spending on veterans' services - such as transportation and employment counseling - in their annual budgets submitted to the Division of Local Government Services. It directly affects county governments, mandating they specify these expenditures instead of grouping them with other services. The key provision is a new budget reporting requirement, ensuring transparency about how funds are allocated to veterans' programs. The bill applies to all county budgets submitted after its effective date, which follows enactment. It does not create new programs or funding but improves accountability in existing budget submissions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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

A 4171: Requires DVA conduct outcomes and efficacy study of veteran to veteran peer support helpline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to conduct a two-year study on the effectiveness of the veteran-to-veteran peer support helpline (commonly called the "vet to vet hotline"). The study will analyze national suicide data and helpline records to evaluate how well the program prevents suicide, supports veterans in accessing mental health care, and serves those in crisis. The DVA must submit a report to the Legislature within six months of the study's completion and may propose new legislation to improve the helpline's services. The bill directly affects the DVA and the existing veteran support program, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than operational changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1123: Clarifies extension of driver's license, identification card, and motor vehicle registration expiration dates for certain military personnel.

This bill clarifies that New Jersey driver's licenses, identification cards, and vehicle registrations for active-duty military members and their immediate family members remain valid beyond standard expiration dates. It specifically amends vehicle registration rules (R.S. 39:3-4) to explicitly state that these documents stay valid when the registrant is in active military service, consistent with existing law (P.L.2015, c.299). The key mechanism ensures military personnel serving away from home don't face license or registration expiration issues during deployment. This directly affects New Jersey residents who are active-duty service members or part of their immediate family. The bill does not create new benefits but makes existing policy clear in statute.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

A 1658: Establishes Veterans State Government Fellowship program.

Bill A-1658 establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a paid fellowship for eligible New Jersey veterans. The program selects up to eight veterans (within 10 years of honorable discharge, at or below E-9/O-5 rank) to work for one year - four in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority/minority offices) and four in state departments or agencies. Each fellow receives a stipend comparable to other Rutgers fellowships, funded by an annual $600,000 state appropriation. The program aims to provide veterans with hands-on training in legislative and executive government processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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

A 223: Excludes bonuses for reenlistment or voluntary extension of enlistment in armed forces from gross income.

This New Jersey bill excludes military reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses from state gross income tax. It directly affects active-duty service members in the U.S. Armed Forces who receive these bonuses while residing in New Jersey. The key provision amends state tax law to specifically exempt these bonuses from taxable income, meaning eligible service members won't pay state income tax on them. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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

A 1429: Permits board of education to employ certain veterans in coaching positions in school district's interscholastic athletic program.

This bill allows New Jersey school boards to hire eligible veterans as coaches in school sports programs without requiring them to hold a teaching certificate or substitute credential. An "eligible veteran" is defined as a state resident honorably discharged after at least four years of military service. The bill directly affects veterans seeking coaching roles and school districts hiring for those positions, removing a current credential barrier. It does not change requirements for other school staff or student-athletes. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 950: Eliminates requirement under veterans' gross income tax exemption that taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status to qualify for exemption.

This bill eliminates a requirement for New Jersey veterans to have served in active duty or federal active duty to qualify for a $6,000 gross income tax exemption. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components, and New Jersey National Guard members who previously needed active duty service to claim this exemption. The key change removes the phrase "in active duty status or federal active duty status" from the tax code, allowing all eligible honorably discharged veterans to claim the exemption regardless of their service status. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 941: Waives business formation and registration fees for establishment of businesses owned by veterans.

This bill waives New Jersey's business formation and registration fees ($125 for for-profits, $75 for non-profits) for veterans establishing new businesses or non-profits. It applies to veterans who were honorably discharged after at least 90 days of service, including reserve members, and requires submission of a DD-214 or discharge certificate as proof. The fee exemption covers only the initial setup costs, not ongoing renewal fees. This policy directly affects veterans seeking to start businesses by reducing their immediate financial barriers to entrepreneurship. The bill mirrors similar legislation enacted in Pennsylvania in 2016.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3471: Establishes New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in DVA.

This bill establishes a New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). It provides grants to qualified nonprofit veterans' organizations (specifically 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt groups or federally chartered Veterans' Service Organizations) to help maintain veteran gravesites across the state. The DVA must develop application guidelines, monitor grant usage, require recipient reporting, and annually report program effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature. Funding for the program requires future legislative appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition

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