Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 1005: Establishes "New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust."

This bill establishes the New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust, a new state entity within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The trust will accept donations from federal, state, local, or private sources to provide grants or loans directly to veterans, veterans' families, and programs supporting them - without replacing existing government funding. It will operate under a 14-member board including agency commissioners, veterans advocates, business representatives, and legislative appointees. The trust may invest unspent funds in approved securities but must maintain separate accounting and undergo state audits. The bill creates a structured mechanism to pool resources for veteran support, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Mental Health

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

A 3337: Requires municipality to provide free beach access to certain veterans.

This bill (A3337) requires New Jersey municipalities bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal bays, or rivers to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to eligible veterans. It mandates that these municipalities cannot charge fees to veterans who served at least 90 days in active duty with an honorable discharge, or were discharged due to a service-connected injury or disability. The law changes current practice, which allowed municipalities to *optionally* offer free access, by making it mandatory for qualifying veterans. It applies specifically to veterans meeting these criteria, as verified by military ID, DD-214 forms, or state-issued veteran/Gold Star Family identification. The bill does not affect other fee exemptions currently permitted under the law.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 2746: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This bill provides educational support professionals (non-teaching school staff) with up to four years of seniority credit for active military service they completed, including service before starting their school job. To qualify, a professional must be declared eligible for federal veterans' benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit counts as if the professional were employed full-time during their military service, directly affecting their seniority calculations for school district benefits and job protections. The bill aligns seniority treatment for these staff with existing provisions for teaching staff.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 567: Establishes "Veteran Obituary Fund."

This bill establishes a permanent "Veteran Obituary Fund" within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to cover costs for veterans' obituaries. Taxpayers can deduct donations to the fund (up to $50,000 annually) from their state income tax, with property donations over $500 requiring an independent appraisal. The fund accepts money or property donations from any source, which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers to pay for veteran obituaries. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to the fund and veterans' families, as it ensures obituary costs - averaging several hundred dollars - are covered without burdening families.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Memorials & Recognition

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

A 3830: "Welcome Home Veterans Act"; requires MVC to provide veteran benefit information packets.

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The packets must include the NJ Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Guide, the VA’s "Federal Benefits for Veterans" booklet, and resources for finding additional benefits. Information must be available in both physical copies at MVC offices and online. The law applies to initial licenses, renewals, probationary licenses, and veteran-designated ID cards. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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

AR 33: Urges Congress to require VA hospitals to provide all routine screenings for women veterans on-site at each hospital.

This is an Assembly Resolution (AR 33), not a bill, urging Congress to require VA hospitals to provide all routine medical screenings for women veterans on-site at every facility. Currently, women veterans sometimes must travel to off-site clinics for screenings like mammograms or Pap tests, creating unnecessary burden. The resolution argues that on-site screenings would improve access, reduce travel time/resources, and ensure care consistency with private-sector standards. It does not create new law but formally requests congressional action to address this gap in veterans' healthcare access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare

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

A 2375: Establishes New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in DVA.

This bill establishes a New Jersey grant program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to fund veteran gravesite maintenance. It provides grants to tax-exempt veterans' organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups or federally chartered veterans' service groups) for maintaining gravesites across the state. The program requires the department to create application guidelines, monitor grant use, and collect annual reports from recipients on how funds were spent. Implementation depends on future legislative funding, as the bill states the program would be subject to appropriation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 107: Provides free admission to State parks, forests, and beaches for certain veterans and military personnel.

This bill expands free admission to New Jersey state parks, forests, and beaches for veterans and military personnel. It directly affects: (1) all New Jersey resident veterans (previously covered under existing law), (2) active-duty service members stationed in New Jersey regardless of residency, and (3) Gold Star Family members holding designated IDs. Key provisions remove residency requirements for active military personnel and clarify qualifying documentation. The bill updates existing rules that already provided free access to National Guard members after training, disabled seniors, and some veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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

A 2342: Requires DMVA promote Veterans History Project at Library of Congress.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create and maintain an informational campaign promoting the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. The campaign aims to raise awareness about this Library of Congress program, which collects and preserves veterans' personal histories. The DMVA must develop this outreach effort, with the Adjutant General adopting necessary rules to implement it. The bill takes immediate effect and does not change existing benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 1122: Waives pet adoption fees for certain military personnel and veterans.

This New Jersey bill eliminates all pet adoption fees at local government-run shelters and kennels for active military members (including New Jersey National Guard after basic training), veterans, and reservists. Shelters may adjust their overall fees to offset costs from waiving these fees for eligible individuals. The policy covers standard adoption expenses like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and wellness exams. It defines "veteran" broadly to include honorably discharged service members and WWII Merchant Marine veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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