Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4648: Permits municipalities to charge reduced or no beach fee for children ages 12 to 17; revises law concerning beach fees for veterans.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to offer reduced or free beach fees for children aged 12 to 17 and expands fee exemptions for veterans. It amends existing state law to permit local governments to set these discounts through ordinances while maintaining the current exemption for children under 12. The legislation specifies that veterans, including active duty service members, National Guard members, and those with Gold Star Family designations, qualify for fee reductions, and requires municipalities to track the number of eligible individuals receiving these benefits. Additionally, the bill clarifies that disabled veterans do not need to pay fees to obtain, replace, or renew permits for operating motorized vehicles on beaches.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4552: Clarifies disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients are not required to own vehicle to be exempt from municipal parking meter fees.

This bill clarifies that disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients do not need to own a vehicle to receive free parking at municipal meters in New Jersey. Under the new provision, these individuals can park for free as long as they display a valid disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard and are either driving or riding as a passenger in the vehicle. The law also allows them to lease a vehicle for this exemption, provided the appropriate identification is shown and the parking does not exceed 24 hours in one location. This change removes the previous requirement that the veteran or recipient must own the car to qualify for the parking fee waiver.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3966: Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption; increases amount of State reimbursement to municipalities for amount of veterans' property tax deduction.

This bill requires the State of New Jersey to reimburse local municipalities for the cost of property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans, and it increases the reimbursement rate for existing veterans' property tax deductions. Under the new provisions, the State will cover 102.5 percent of the total amount of disabled veterans' property tax exemptions and 102.5 percent of the veterans' property tax deductions claimed by taxpayers in each tax year. The legislation also establishes a certification process where tax assessors and county boards must report the number and dollar value of these exemptions to the State by specific deadlines each year. These changes directly affect local taxing districts, which will receive additional state funding to offset the revenue lost from these tax breaks, while disabled veterans continue to benefit from their existing property tax relief programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

ACR 137: Proposes constitutional amendment to extend eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption to certain veterans released under other than honorable circumstances.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey that would allow veterans released from military service under conditions other than honorable to qualify for state property tax deductions and exemptions. The change would expand eligibility for the $250 annual property tax deduction and the disabled veterans' property tax exemption to include veterans who were discharged under other than honorable circumstances, provided they meet other residency and service requirements. The amendment also includes provisions for surviving spouses of veterans and establishes how the deduction applies to residents of continuing care retirement communities. If passed, this change would modify the state constitution to broaden the definition of eligible veterans for tax benefits without altering the existing benefits for those with honorable discharges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4593: Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.

This bill expands tuition assistance in New Jersey to include dependents of U.S. Armed Forces members who died while on active duty, extending a benefit currently limited to New Jersey National Guard members. It allows eligible children or surviving spouses to attend public colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester if they meet standard enrollment and financial aid requirements. Additionally, the bill provides a monetary award equal to 10 percent of tuition costs to be used for non-tuition expenses like housing, dining, and fees. The changes apply to the first full academic year following enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

ACR 129: Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years.

This bill proposes amending the New Jersey Constitution to increase the property tax deduction for veterans from $250 to $2,500 over a four-year period. The increase would occur in annual steps, reaching the full $2,500 amount by tax year 2029, and would apply to honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses. The amendment also clarifies how the deduction works for veterans living in continuing care retirement communities, ensuring they receive the benefit through a payment or credit from the facility. If approved by the legislature and voters, the change would become permanent and cannot be altered or repealed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3805: Provides for State agencies to issue advanced payments to certified business enterprises awarded State contracts.

This bill allows New Jersey state agencies to provide up to 10 percent of a contract's total value as an advance payment to certified business enterprises that win public contracts. The advance is intended to help these businesses, which include small, minority, women-owned, veteran, and disadvantaged firms, cover initial costs when bidding on construction, goods, services, or professional service contracts. Contractors receiving the advance must pass a proportional share to any certified subcontractors within 60 days, and both contractors and subcontractors must repay the funds if they fail to begin or complete the work. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to all state agencies responsible for awarding public contracts.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SR 86: Urges President and Congress of United States to enact federal legislation providing proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability.

This Senate resolution urges the President and Congress to create federal property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities. The proposed legislation would provide annual tax benefits based on a percentage of property taxes, determined by the veteran's disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility would be limited to veterans with annual incomes up to $200,000 and would apply only to their principal residences. The resolution does not change any laws but serves as a formal request for federal action to address property tax burdens faced by disabled veterans across the country.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Property Taxes Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4589: Extends eligibility for Military Dependents Scholarships to students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs and to dependents of certain military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve.

This bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Military Dependents Scholarship program to include students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs, in addition to undergraduate studies. It also extends scholarship eligibility to dependents of military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve, alongside previously covered operations. The legislation modifies the governing board to require at least five public members who were directly affected by specific military operations, ensuring representation from those with direct experience. Scholarships remain available for spouses, children, or other eligible dependents of New Jersey residents who were killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled due to service in the specified operations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3917: Codifies regulations concerning State-excused absences; permits excused absence for students attending military service activities, certain school visits, and open-houses.

This bill codifies existing regulations that allow public school students in New Jersey to record certain absences as excused, including religious observances, Veterans Day participation, and civic events. It specifically expands these provisions to permit up to three excused absences per school year for grades 11 and 12 students attending military service activities, vocational or trade school visits, or labor-related open houses. The legislation ensures that these excused absences do not negatively impact a student's attendance record or eligibility for perfect attendance awards, while requiring students to provide documentation to verify their eligibility. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment but remains inactive until the start of the first full school year following that date.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Memorials & Recognition

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