Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 1906: Authorizes creation of Woman Veteran license plates.

This bill (A-1906) creates special New Jersey license plates displaying "Woman Veteran" for eligible female veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide military discharge documentation (DD-214) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee. The fees fund a dedicated "Woman Veteran License Plate Fund," which supports programs for female veterans - including shelter assistance for homeless women - administered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs. The Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Adjutant General, designs the plates and manages the program, with initial costs covered by non-public contributions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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

A 1118: Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having service-connected permanent disability; extends eligibility to veterans suffering from mental illness; establishes eligibility of property owned by disabled veteran with surviving partner for exemption.

This bill expands New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability, including mental illness (previously excluded), and their surviving partners. The key change adds mental illness as a qualifying condition for a proportional property tax exemption based on the veteran's disability percentage (up to 100%). It also extends eligibility to surviving partners if the veteran developed a service-connected disability after death, allowing them to claim the exemption as if the veteran were still living. The exemption applies to the veteran's or surviving partner's primary residence, in addition to other existing property tax exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Mental Health Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1660: Permits representative of National Association of County Veteran Service Officers to take leave of absence with pay to attend State or national conventions.

This bill adds the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) to a list of organizations whose representatives in New Jersey state or local government jobs may take paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects NACVSO representatives working for the state, counties, or municipalities. The policy allows up to five total days of paid leave per calendar year (non-cumulative), including travel time, with a certificate of attendance required. The change modifies an existing law that already provides similar paid leave for representatives of other veteran service organizations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

A 413: Makes desecration of military monument crime of the third degree.

This bill amends New Jersey law to classify intentionally damaging or defacing a military monument as a third-degree crime, rather than a lesser disorderly persons offense. It defines "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting, and specifies that a "military monument" includes any structure honoring military personnel or commemorating battles. The law directly affects individuals who purposefully harm such monuments, with penalties for third-degree crimes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 3681: Exempts sales of passenger automobiles to honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disability from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts sales and use tax on passenger automobiles purchased by veterans who were honorably discharged and have a disability related to their military service, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It defines "passenger automobile" as any vehicle designed for passenger transport (excluding buses), and "service-connected disability" as an injury or illness incurred during active duty. The exemption applies to sales occurring two months after the bill's enactment, directly benefiting eligible veterans purchasing new or used cars. The law modifies New Jersey’s existing Sales and Use Tax Act to provide this tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Veteran Healthcare

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

A 1440: Encourages expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans; prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to expand community mental health programs to include mental health services specifically for veterans and prohibits denying veterans these services based solely on their military status. It amends existing law to explicitly list "Services for veterans" as a required component of community mental health centers and mandates that state funding for mental health services must cover veterans in need. Counties must refer veterans to the VA for eligibility determination while ensuring they receive county services during the wait, and cannot deny services due to veteran status or VA wait times. The bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and county mental health programs receiving state funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4057: Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to fund burial of indigent veterans.

This bill (A4057) creates the "Indigent Veterans’ Burial Services Fund" in New Jersey's Treasury. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state tax refund or make a separate payment when filing their gross income tax return, directing funds to cover burial or cremation costs for indigent veterans. The fund specifically supports veterans who lack resources for burial - such as homeless veterans or those with abandoned remains - beyond the current system where counties cover up to $250 and the state provides additional funding up to $1,250. All collected contributions must be annually appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for these burial expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3565: Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million.

S 3565 establishes a state-funded program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans through grants to qualified organizations. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will distribute funds to veterans' organizations (including tax-exempt groups and specific entities like the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group) that contract with licensed mental health professionals. The bill requires grantees to provide mental health services directly to veterans, with the program taking effect immediately. This legislation directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the eligible organizations administering the services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

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

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

A 203: Renames Blue Star Memorial Highway Council as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council; renames Blue Star Memorial Highway system as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system.

This bill (A 203) renames the "Blue Star Memorial Highway Council" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council" and the "Blue Star Memorial Highway system" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system." It recognizes Gold Star families - immediate relatives of service members killed in combat - by updating the official names. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to update all state highway signage within 90 days of the bill's effective date to reflect the new names. This is a procedural change with no new funding or policy requirements.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 644: Establishes Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission.

This bill establishes the Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission under New Jersey's "Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission Act" to coordinate state efforts in preventing veteran suicides. The commission, composed of 12 members including veterans, mental health experts, military representatives, and family members, will review state agency programs, improve coordination between departments, and track progress on suicide prevention initiatives. It directly affects New Jersey veterans, service members, and their families by aiming to strengthen existing support systems through better collaboration. The commission will focus on aligning services for veterans' transition to civilian life, mental health care, and community resources without creating new programs. The bill requires the commission to hold at least six meetings annually and report on its activities to improve suicide prevention outcomes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

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

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