S 1903 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes NJ Military Family Relief Fund; provides for designation on State gross income tax return to permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to military family relief fund.

S 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jun 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee to split administrative responsibilities between two separate departments - the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs - rather than a single combined Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Adjutant General and the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs now jointly determine the application process, eligibility documentation, and rule-making, with each official handling matters 'as appropriate' to their respective department. The core grant program (up to $2,500 for food, housing, medical services, and essential expenses) and eligibility criteria remain unchanged.

SCOPE

Administrative authority over the fund is split between the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs instead of being housed in a single combined department. Applications can now be submitted to either department as appropriate.

REQUIREMENT

The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs is added as a co-decision-maker alongside the Adjutant General for determining the application process, establishing eligibility documentation, adjudicating appeals, and adopting rules and regulations.

FISCAL

Added a new source of funds: grants accepted by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to N.J.S. 38A:21-10, at the discretion of the commissioner, in addition to existing sources.

ENFORCEMENT

Denial authority for insufficient funds and notification of previously denied applicants when funding becomes available is now shared between the Adjutant General and the commissioner, as appropriate, rather than resting solely with the Adjutant General.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor