Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 2968: Requires school district to allow graduating student to wear military sash while participating in high school graduation ceremony.

This bill expands New Jersey school district policies to allow graduating high school students who are active military members or have enlisted to wear a military sash or stole (issued by their service branch) during graduation ceremonies, in addition to the existing allowance for military dress uniforms. It directly affects students who have met all diploma requirements and are eligible to participate in graduation, specifically those affiliated with the U.S. Armed Forces. The key provision amends existing law to include sashes and stoles - worn over graduation robes - as permitted attire, while maintaining the requirement that students must be active members who completed basic training. The bill does not change eligibility requirements but broadens the types of military-issued items students may display.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

AJR 22: Designates October 23rd of each year as Beirut Barracks Bombing Remembrance Day in New Jersey.

AJR 22 designates October 23 annually as Beirut Barracks Bombing Remembrance Day in New Jersey. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. This commemorative measure honors the 220 U.S. military personnel killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, without implementing new policies or affecting specific groups.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 3245: Establishes "Anthony's Legacy Act"; provides special consideration for certain grandparents applying for visitation rights.

This bill, known as "Anthony's Legacy Act," modifies New Jersey's visitation rights law to provide special consideration for grandparents seeking visitation who are Gold Star family members (relatives of military service members who died in active duty). It requires courts to specifically weigh the grandparent's status as a Gold Star family member as part of the "best interests of the child" evaluation when reviewing visitation applications. The bill does not change the existing burden of proof or other factors courts consider, but adds this specific consideration to the list of factors under Section 1(b)(2). It directly affects grandparents in military-connected families seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. The policy change is limited to visitation proceedings and does not alter other aspects of family law.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

A 1298: Permits veteran's property tax deduction for tax year when veteran was previously qualified to receive deduction and became owner of real property after October 1 of pretax year.

This bill changes New Jersey's veteran property tax deduction rules to help veterans who purchase a home after October 1 but before December 31 of the tax year. It allows veterans to qualify for the deduction on their new home if they were previously eligible for the deduction on another property in the state before October 1. The key change removes the requirement that veterans must own the property by October 1, preventing loss of benefits when moving homes late in the year. This applies directly to veterans who become property owners after October 1 but before year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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

A 1887: Removing requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations, thereby broadening eligibility for certain veterans' benefits.

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1887 proposes to remove specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for state benefits. Currently, eligibility depends on service during defined conflict periods (e.g., WWII service between September 1940-December 1946), but this bill would amend the definition of "veteran" to eliminate those time-bound criteria. It directly affects veterans who served in conflicts like World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or later missions but may not meet the current narrow date windows. The change would broaden eligibility by focusing on service-connected status rather than exact historical dates. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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

A 3061: Provides that certain veterans are entitled to free admission to, and free parking at, State parks and forests.

This bill (A 3061) provides free admission to New Jersey State parks and forests, and free parking, for resident veterans. It expands existing exemptions (which currently cover seniors 62+, disabled residents, and National Guard members) to include all honorably discharged veterans. The law requires parks to reserve at least 2% of parking spaces (minimum three per park) exclusively for veterans, with no fee for these spaces. Veterans must provide proof of service as defined by current law, consistent with existing veteran eligibility standards.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

ACR 76: Proposes constitutional amendment to permit Legislature to extend eligibility to receive veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouse of nonresident veteran in certain circumstances.

ACR 76 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouses of veterans who were not residents of New Jersey at the time of the veteran's death, but had previously been residents before and after their military service. Currently, the deduction applies only to surviving spouses of veterans who were residents at death; this bill would allow the Legislature to provide the deduction to spouses of veterans who met the residency requirement prior to service or after discharge. If passed, it would change the state constitution to permit this extension, requiring voter approval after legislative passage. The policy change would directly affect surviving spouses of veterans who served but lived outside New Jersey at death, while maintaining existing eligibility rules for veterans who died as residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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

A 793: Authorizes creation of US Navy Veteran license plates.

This bill authorizes New Jersey to create special "U.S. Navy Retired" license plates for eligible veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable Navy discharge (via DD-214 form) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee. All fees collected fund the "U.S. Navy Veteran License Plate Fund," which the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs uses to support programs for Navy veterans. The plates must display "U.S. Navy Retired" and Navy insignia, with design finalized in consultation with the Adjutant General. The bill does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism through license plate fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 638: Requires public institutions of higher education to waive tuition and fees for Medal of Honor and Purple Heart Medal military recipients.

This New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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

A 1908: Authorizes creation of Combat Action Ribbon license plate.

This New Jersey bill (A 1908) creates a special "Combat Action Ribbon" license plate for veterans who earned the Combat Action Ribbon, verified through military discharge documents (DD-214). Eligible veterans pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund supports programs for combat veterans and covers administrative costs, with initial production costs potentially offset by private donations (up to $25,000). The bill is pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee after being introduced on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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