This bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
This bill (A 3795) provides tuition-free enrollment in New Jersey public colleges for dependent children of veterans who died, are missing in action, or are totally disabled due to service-related injuries (as certified by the VA). It covers up to 60 credits for associate degrees and 120 credits for bachelor's degrees at public institutions. To qualify, students must be New Jersey residents, meet academic progress standards, apply for all other available financial aid (including federal VA benefits), and have classroom space available. The state will reimburse public colleges for waived tuition costs.
This bill proposes establishing New Jersey's "Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It would provide eligible surviving family members of service members who died on active duty with an annual $600 payment starting January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). The program specifically supports New Jersey residents who are spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen service members. Residency is required for eligibility, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients. The bill defines "Gold Star family member" and outlines application requirements, including proof of relationship and New Jersey residency.
This bill allows New Jersey disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities to deduct up to $5,000 annually from their gross income for service animal expenses. Eligible costs include purchasing, training, and maintaining the animal (such as food, grooming, and veterinary care), provided these expenses aren't already deductible as medical costs under existing law. To claim the deduction, veterans must submit proof of eligibility to the Division of Taxation. The policy applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, and defines "disabled veteran" as a resident honorably discharged from military service with a VA-recognized disability, while "service animal" follows federal ADA standards.
This New Jersey bill (A1150) creates a proportional property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans whose disabilities (such as paralysis, blindness, or amputations) are certified by the VA as 25% to 100% service-connected. The exemption equals the veteran's disability percentage (e.g., 50% disability = 50% tax exemption) but caps partial exemptions at $15,000. To offset costs for local governments, the state must reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax revenue lost from these exemptions.
ACR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000 annually, effective for tax year 2021. It would also tie future adjustments to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases, ensuring the deduction grows with inflation while never decreasing. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution. If approved, the deduction would automatically adjust yearly based on inflation without legislative action.
This bill clarifies that veterans seeking civil service preference in New Jersey must submit proof of their veteran status to the state veterans agency no later than eight days before an employment list is issued. It specifies that veterans must provide documented evidence of their service eligibility under either federal or New Jersey's existing definitions. The bill does not change who qualifies as a veteran but adds a procedural requirement for verifying status when applying for state civil service jobs. This affects veterans applying for state government positions who wish to claim preference under current law. The change aims to streamline the verification process for civil service hiring.
This bill creates the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to family members of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. Eligible recipients include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and legal guardians who attend approved colleges or universities. The program is funded through a $2 annual surcharge on personalized license plates, voluntary taxpayer contributions via state tax returns, and a $100,000 initial appropriation from the General Fund. Scholarships cover undergraduate costs up to the average tuition at New Jersey's four-year public universities, with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority managing eligibility and award amounts.
This bill (A1877) helps New Jersey National Guard members and reserve military personnel who were called to active federal duty before their civil service exam list expired. It ensures they retain eligibility for fire department positions if they met the maximum age requirement at the original exam's closing date. The law allows them to be placed on a new civil service list using their original exam score, without reapplying for age eligibility, and covers both fire department and existing police department positions under similar rules. The policy applies to those returning from military service who qualify as veterans.
This bill waives initial application and issuance fees for professional and occupational licenses in New Jersey for veterans and their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners who already hold a current, equivalent license in another state. It applies when the applicant resides in New Jersey and the out-of-state license meets the board's equivalent or substantially equivalent requirements. The exemption covers all licenses issued by professional boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill does not affect renewal fees or licenses obtained through other pathways.
