Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 911: Modifies requirements for operation of certain food and service stands in State, county, and municipal buildings, grounds, and premises.

This bill modifies rules for food and service stands (like newsstands or cafes) in New Jersey public buildings (state, county, and municipal). It requires that when a stand operated by a blind person becomes vacant: - After 3 months, it must be offered to a "disabled person-owned business" (51%+ owned by people with disabilities). - After 6 months, it must be offered to a "veteran-owned business" (51%+ owned by veterans). - After 9 months, it becomes available to any licensed business. No fees are charged to disabled or veteran-owned businesses for these permits, and priority reverts to the Commission for the Blind if a non-blind operator leaves.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

A 1272: Expands eligibility for gross income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.

This bill expands New Jersey's gross income tax credit for family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows caregivers to qualify if the veteran has any service-connected disability (not limited to post-9/11 conflicts), provided the veteran meets other existing requirements like honorable discharge, VA disability rating, and six months of residency with the caregiver in New Jersey. The credit equals 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation, up to $675 per year, and is refundable if it reduces tax liability to zero. It directly affects New Jersey family caregivers (with income limits of $50,000 single/$100,000 joint filers) who support veterans with disabilities from any military service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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

ACR 70: Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to extend civil service hiring preference to veterans who did not serve in time of war.

ACR 70 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Jersey's Legislature to extend civil service hiring preferences to all veterans, not just those who served during wartime. Currently, only veterans with wartime service receive this preference when applying for state government jobs. The amendment would enable the Legislature to create a new law defining eligibility for this hiring preference, potentially including veterans who served in peacetime. This change would directly affect all veterans applying for civil service positions across New Jersey state government. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election following its passage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

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

A 3811: Qualifies certain disabled veterans for toll rate exemptions and exemptions from motor vehicle registration fees.

This bill (A 3811) exempts eligible disabled veterans from toll charges on New Jersey Turnpike and South Jersey Transportation Authority toll facilities. It applies to veterans already qualified for motor vehicle registration fee exemptions under existing law (P.L.1948 c.28), specifically those with service-connected disabilities from World War I, veterans eligible for state compensation under R.S. 38:18-1 et seq., or holders of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The exemption requires veterans to have an account with the electronic toll collection system and covers all toll facilities operated by these authorities. It directly affects disabled veterans who meet these specific eligibility criteria and currently qualify for registration fee exemptions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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

A 2787: Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service.

This bill (A 2787) waives all fees for hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to New Jersey state parks and forests for specific military-affiliated individuals. It directly affects: active New Jersey National Guard members who completed basic training, members of New Jersey-based military reserve units, active-duty service members stationed in New Jersey (regardless of residency), disabled veterans (with VA certification), and retired New Jersey National Guard members. The key mechanism requires the Division of Fish and Wildlife to establish acceptable proof of eligibility (like military IDs or VA disability documentation) and mandates that license fees and park admissions be waived for these groups. The bill amends existing laws to explicitly exclude these individuals from fee requirements, with funding adjustments to cover lost license revenue.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

A 3303: Updates definition of veteran to include discharged LGBTQ veteran; requires DVA develop review process for such veterans.

This bill updates New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under less than honorable conditions due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related conduct. It directly affects LGBTQ veterans who were discharged for these reasons, expanding their eligibility for state benefits and programs. The key mechanism requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to create a standardized review process to verify a veteran's status as a "discharged LGBTQ veteran," including an eligibility form. The bill amends existing statutes to formally incorporate this new definition into state law, ensuring these veterans qualify for benefits previously reserved for those discharged under honorable conditions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

A 1682: Provides for increase and annual adjustment in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.

This New Jersey bill increases annual payments to veterans with specific wartime service-connected disabilities from $750 to $1,500 per year. It directly affects veterans who lost sight during wartime (under R.S.38:18-2) or have severe disabilities like paraplegia, amputations, or permanent limb loss from service-related injuries (under P.L.1947, c.263). The bill establishes an automatic annual adjustment to payments based on the Consumer Price Index for the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island area, ensuring payments keep pace with inflation. Adjustments are calculated each December 1st for payments starting January 1st of the following year, with the first adjustment delayed until 12 months after the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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

A 2994: Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers.

This bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The collected fees fund a dedicated "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund," which annually supports the Veterans Haven Council's services for homeless veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities. The fund, managed within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, covers costs for veterans' housing and support programs. The plate design will be chosen with input from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, and initial costs are offset by donations from the Veterans Haven Council and other donors, not public funds.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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

A 1899: Requires Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman submit annual report to veterans' facility oversight boards.

This bill requires New Jersey's Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to submit an annual report to the oversight board of each veterans' facility, in addition to its existing report to the Governor and Legislature. The report must summarize the Ombudsman's activities related to veterans' facilities, document significant care and service problems, analyze trends, and include recommendations to improve care quality and protect residents' rights. It mirrors the existing annual report format but focuses specifically on veterans' facilities, as defined in state law. This directly affects veterans' facilities and their oversight boards by mandating regular, detailed updates on facility care quality. The bill does not change current reporting requirements for general long-term care facilities.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3652: Creates home purchase grant program in HMFA for certain veterans who served in federal active duty; appropriates $2 million.

S 3652 creates a New Jersey home purchase grant program for veterans who served at least 90 days in federal active duty. It provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $10,000 per veteran to cover closing costs, equity payments, or other home-buying expenses, with no income requirements. Eligible veterans must be New Jersey residents with proof of service and intent to buy a primary residence in the state. The bill appropriates $2 million to fund the program, which will operate through the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages Veteran Housing

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