Veterans (Veteran Education) in New Jersey

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

A 1901: Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill (A 1901) removes specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for New Jersey civil service and pension benefits. It eliminates past restrictions that limited eligibility to veterans who served during exact timeframes (e.g., "between July 14, 1914 and November 11, 1918") or in specific locations (e.g., "in Lebanon" for certain missions). The key change amends the definition of "veteran" in state law to broaden eligibility, allowing veterans who served honorably in designated conflicts to qualify without proving they met these prior time or place conditions. This directly affects veterans whose service history no longer aligns with the old, narrow criteria but otherwise meets the general eligibility standards.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SCR 96: Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years.

SCR 96 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey veterans' property tax deductions from $250 to $2,500 over four years. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who are New Jersey residents, with the deduction amount rising incrementally: $1,000 in 2025, $1,500 in 2026, $2,000 in 2027, and $2,500 starting in 2028. The bill does not change eligibility but phases in the higher deduction amount annually. Surviving spouses of veterans and veterans in continuing care retirement communities would retain existing benefit structures under this amendment. This is a policy change to enhance property tax relief for veterans, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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

A 1772: Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.

This bill (A 1772) provides free undergraduate tuition and mandatory student fees at New Jersey public colleges for dependents of qualifying veterans. It directly affects children (ages 17-26), spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners of veterans who were New Jersey residents when entering active duty and who were killed in action, declared POW/MIA, permanently and totally disabled (100% service-connected), or died from a service-connected disability. To qualify, dependents must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in good standing at a public institution, and have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships. Benefits are capped at the credit hours needed for a bachelor’s degree (at four-year colleges) or associate degree (at community colleges), and spouse/partner benefits expire after 10 years or upon remarriage.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

A 3820: Requires school districts to observe Veterans Day as school holiday.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to close on November 11th each year (Veterans Day), prohibiting schools from opening on that date. It directly affects school districts and students by mandating a holiday observance that currently depends on individual district decisions. The key provision prohibits boards of education from scheduling school on Veterans Day, ensuring the day is observed as a holiday. The bill takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment. It does not change funding, curriculum, or other school operations - only the required closure date.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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

A 3843: Provides police training course credit to prior military law enforcement officer seeking employment as law enforcement officer in NJ.

This bill (A-3843) allows military law enforcement officers who separated under honorable conditions within the past three years to receive training course credits toward New Jersey's basic police officer certification. It requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for portions of the training course that match their prior military law enforcement training, without waiving the entire course requirement. The policy directly affects veterans seeking to become sworn law enforcement officers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 2365: Permits spouses and dependents of military service members to qualify for in-State tuition in event that service member is transferred to another state.

New Jersey bill A2365 extends in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of military service members who move due to a service member's transfer. It allows these individuals to maintain in-state tuition rates at public colleges in New Jersey if they were already enrolled before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill specifically applies to spouses and dependents who were attending school in New Jersey prior to the military relocation, ensuring they don't lose tuition benefits during temporary moves. This change directly affects military families facing frequent relocations, removing a barrier to educational affordability during service-related transfers. The policy update amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to include these scenarios without requiring new funding.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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

A 2867: Extends eligibility for property tax benefits to veterans, 100 percent service-disabled veterans, and senior citizens and persons with disabilities who pay payments in lieu of property taxes.

This bill extends an existing property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities (such as paraplegia, amputation, or total blindness) and their eligible surviving spouses to include those who pay "payments in lieu of property taxes" in urban renewal areas. It also clarifies that tenant shareholders in cooperative housing can claim the exemption for their proportionate share of taxes, provided the veteran or surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary. The exemption applies to the primary residence and is in addition to other existing property tax benefits, without replacing other available exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3582: Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

S 3582 would establish a scholarship program for family members and legal guardians of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. The program, initially funded by a $100,000 state appropriation, would provide undergraduate scholarships at New Jersey colleges and universities, with awards capped at the average tuition cost for four-year public institutions. The bill also creates two new funding sources: voluntary taxpayer contributions through state income tax returns and a $2 annual fee on personalized license plates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Income Tax State Budget Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3583: Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.

This bill expands New Jersey's civil service hiring preferences for veterans who qualify under federal standards but not current state definitions. It grants disabled veterans meeting federal criteria (5 U.S.C. §2108) 10 extra points on state exam scores, and other veterans meeting federal criteria 5 extra points. These benefits apply only to those passing open competitive exams after the bill's effective date (July following enactment). A constitutional amendment must first be approved by voters to allow the disabled veteran point increase.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 823: Eliminates shellfish license fee for veterans and active duty service members.

This bill eliminates the $10 recreational shellfish license fee for New Jersey residents who are honorably discharged veterans or active duty members of the U.S. military. Currently, New Jersey residents under 62 must pay this fee to harvest shellfish (like clams, oysters, and mussels) for non-commercial use, with a daily limit of 150 shellfish. The amendment modifies state law to add veterans and active duty service members to the existing exemption list that already includes residents aged 62+. The change applies only to recreational licenses, not commercial licenses, and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

All veterans bills