Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 1980: Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.

This bill extends military service credit for school district compensation purposes to non-teaching employees hired after its effective date. Similar to teaching staff, eligible non-certificated employees (e.g., administrative or support staff) who served in active military duty since 1940 will receive equivalent employment credit for pay adjustments, but no more than four increments. It applies only to new hires and does not alter existing benefit limits for teaching staff under current law.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 3838: Codifies Bringing Veterans Home Initiative.

This bill codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans statewide. It requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to establish six regional housing hubs, create a standardized online referral form, use state data to target veteran homelessness needs, and connect veterans to existing housing benefits. The law mandates publishing the referral form online and classifying veterans for tailored assistance, building on a 2024 pilot program launched by the governor. The initiative aims to provide safe, stable housing for every homeless veteran in the state, with rules to be finalized by the agencies.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3580: Requires public institutions of higher education to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans and members of military.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members, and New Jersey National Guard members who live in New Jersey and accept admission. It directly affects eligible service members seeking higher education within the state. The key provision mandates that institutions must eliminate these specific fees upon enrollment, either by not charging them upfront or refunding them after the fact. The policy applies immediately to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 3844: Permits interment of military working dogs at State-operated veterans' memorial cemeteries.

This bill (A 3844) allows military working dogs to be buried in New Jersey's state-operated veterans' memorial cemeteries, including the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. It defines "military working dog" as a dog that performed duties for the Department of Defense, such as tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, or attack. The bill directly affects the burial eligibility of these dogs, which previously were not included in state cemetery provisions. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 411: Establishes price preference program on State contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

This bill establishes a 10% price preference for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses when New Jersey state agencies award contracts paid with state funds. To qualify, a business must be independently owned, have its principal place in New Jersey, be at least 51% owned by service-disabled veterans, and have management controlled by disabled veterans (or their surviving spouses if the veteran dies). If a qualified business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% preference, the state must award them the contract. The bill also ensures surviving spouses retain eligibility if they acquire the business after the veteran owner's death.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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

AJR 28: Designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey.

AJR 28 designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey to honor military service members who participated in U.S. nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962, served near Hiroshima or Nagasaki through 1946, or were prisoners of war in those areas. This ceremonial resolution recognizes their service during a period when secrecy laws initially prevented them from seeking VA medical care or disability benefits related to radiation exposure. The bill does not create new benefits or alter laws, but formally acknowledges their contributions to national defense. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 1432: Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit.

This bill establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for disabled veterans in New Jersey who rent residential property. It allows qualifying disabled veterans to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes (calculated as 18% of rent paid). Married veterans filing separately each receive half the credit, and veterans sharing housing with non-spouses can only claim credit for their own rent payments. The credit applies in addition to existing rent tax credits for seniors or other disabled renters.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Renters Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 878: Authorizes "100 Percent Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges.

This bill, A 878, authorizes New Jersey to issue special "100 Percent Disabled Veteran" license plates to veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects eligible veterans by granting them the same handicapped parking privileges as standard disabled parking placards, with no application fee. The plates must display the phrase "100 Percent Disabled Veteran" and a chosen emblem, are non-transferable, and misuse could result in revocation of parking benefits. The bill requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to notify veterans about the plates through registration renewals and office signage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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

A 1687: Requires State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct study of utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in State procurement process.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disabled veteran-owned businesses are being used fairly in state government contracts. The study must determine if there's a gap between how many such businesses are available and how many actually receive state contracts, and it must be completed within 12 months. The officer will then submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, and may later provide follow-up reports tracking progress on implementing those recommendations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

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

A 2806: Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death.

This bill changes when annual compensation for surviving spouses of eligible blind or disabled veterans begins. Currently, payments start from the date the spouse applies, which could be years after the veteran's death. The bill requires payments to start from the veteran's death date instead, including retroactive payments for spouses whose veterans died before April 9, 1985 (the date the benefit was first established). It applies to surviving spouses of veterans who were blinded or severely disabled due to wartime service, as defined in existing law. The change ensures spouses receive all accrued benefits from the veteran's death, regardless of when they file an application.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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