Veterans (National Guard & Reserve)

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

AR 115: Urges Congress enact Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 115) urges Congress to pass the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. Currently, federal law forces surviving spouses of military members who died of service-connected causes to forfeit part or all of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity when receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA - losing $1 in SBP for every $1 in DIC. The pending federal bill would end this offset for survivors under 60, prevent repayment of previously withheld benefits, and ensure payments to dependent children when no spouse is eligible. It directly affects military survivors whose spouses died on active duty or from service-connected causes, particularly those whose deaths occurred before 2001.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnds offset reducing SBP annuity for military survivors, preserving benefits they lose under current law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits

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

A 3036: Increases days of paid military leave for certain public employees who serve in United States Reserves.

This bill increases paid military leave for New Jersey public employees serving in U.S. military Reserves from 30 to 90 work days per year. It directly affects state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps Reserves, or affiliated National Guard units. The key change allows these employees to take up to 90 paid work days for federal active duty, with any additional days provided without pay. Local employers can seek state reimbursement for costs incurred under this policy through the State Treasurer’s office. The change aligns benefits for out-of-state Reserve members with those already provided to New Jersey National Guard members.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases paid military leave from 30 to 90 days, expanding worker benefits for public employees serving in reserves/national guard.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases paid military leave for reservists from 30 to 90 days, expanding benefits for service members transitioning to veteran status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 510: Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.

This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide academic accommodations for students serving in the National Guard, Reserves, or active duty military. It gives students who miss classes due to military obligations (like deployments or drills) options to receive a pass/fail grade, incomplete, or withdrawal - plus refunds for tuition and fees if they withdraw. Institutions must notify students of these rights, create written contracts with professors to address missed coursework, and provide accommodations like lecture notes or tutoring. Additionally, schools must accept up to 30 college credits for undergraduate military experience (and 12 for graduate programs) based on American Council on Education evaluations. The law directly affects student veterans and military-affiliated learners enrolled in New Jersey higher education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates academic accommodations for military students in higher education, expanding access and preventing academic penalties for military service, directly supporting educational access for a vulnerable student group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires academic accommodations for military students (National Guard/Reserves/active duty), including pass/fail options and tuition refunds, directly advancing educational benefits for veterans and service members.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 1956: Clarifies excuse from jury service for members of the military or reserve under certain circumstances; repeals N.J.S.38A:4-6.

This bill clarifies and updates New Jersey's jury duty rules for military members by repealing an outdated law (N.J.S.38A:4-6) and adding a new requirement to the main jury service statute (N.J.S.2B:20-10). It allows active-duty military, reserve, or National Guard members to be excused from jury service if they submit a certification from their command confirming they are unavailable due to deployment or duty assignments. The court must verify this certification before granting the excuse, replacing a previous exemption that lacked verification. This change ensures military members can be excused without relying on an unverified process, directly affecting service members summoned for jury duty.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts active-duty military/reserve members from jury duty during deployment, supporting service obligations and recognition of military service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

A 2277: Provides increased flexibility in school district enrollment for military-connected students.

This bill (A 2277) provides school enrollment flexibility for military-connected students in New Jersey. It requires school districts to waive residency time requirements, give enrollment preference, and guarantee admission regardless of capacity if military orders are provided. The bill directly affects students dependent on active-duty service members, National Guard members, veterans, or civilian military employees (as defined in Section 1b). Key provisions include maintaining enrollment in the original district during relocation, options for 11th graders to stay until graduation, and access to military installation schools within 10 days of arrival. The law aims to reduce enrollment barriers caused by frequent military relocations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for military-connected students by removing enrollment barriers (residency requirements, capacity limits) per military orders, directly advancing access within K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans in eligibility for school enrollment flexibility, supporting military-connected families and advancing veteran-related educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives fees for veterans' recreational access, directly expanding benefits and recognizing service through free licenses/park access for qualifying veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

AR 66: Urges Congress to issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or similar recognition, to United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 66) urges Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or equivalent recognition) to U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It directly affects veterans who provided training, combat support, and military exercises in Honduras during that period. The resolution, if adopted, would be sent to congressional leaders as a formal request for this recognition. The bill does not create new law but seeks to prompt Congress to address a specific historical recognition for service members.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges Congress to award medal recognizing veterans' service in Honduras 1981-1992, directly supporting veteran recognition as per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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

A 643: Allows tax credits for employing members of NJ National Guard and members of reserve component of US Armed Forces.

This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that employ members of the New Jersey National Guard or reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. Employers receive a $1,500 credit per service member not on deployment, or $2,500 for those who have completed deployment or returned from activation. The credits apply to both the corporation business tax and gross income tax, with specific rules for partnerships and S corporations. It directly affects New Jersey businesses hiring these service members, providing financial incentives based on their deployment status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits reducing business tax liability for hiring military personnel, providing targeted tax relief within state tax system.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax credits to employers hiring National Guard/reserve members, directly supporting veteran employment - a key veteran benefit category.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

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

A 2363: 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 refund application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members, reservists, and New Jersey National Guard members who live in the state and are admitted. It directly affects these eligible military-affiliated individuals and public higher education institutions. The key provision mandates that institutions cover these specific costs instead of charging them during the application process. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives application/transcript fees for military-affiliated students, expanding access to public higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives application/transcript fees for veterans at public colleges, directly expanding educational benefits and reducing financial barriers for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 1028: Provides PFRS member in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.

This bill amends New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to extend death and disability benefits to members injured or killed while on active military duty (federal or state). It defines members on such duty - ordered by the President for federal service or the Governor for state service - as "active members" for benefit purposes, ensuring they qualify for the same death benefits as if actively serving in their department. The amendment covers both death benefits for survivors (including lump-sum payments) and disability retirement benefits for members disabled during military service. This directly affects PFRS members who serve in the military while retaining their retirement system eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends disability/death benefits to PFRS members on military duty, strengthening employment benefits for specific workers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends death/disability benefits to PFRS members injured/killed in military service, aligning with veteran benefit protections under state retirement system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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