Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1334: Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran.

This bill creates a permanent commission to study New Jersey's inconsistent statutory definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," and "service-disabled veteran" (which include over 20 distinct definitions for "veteran" alone). The commission, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, will analyze current definitions, identify restrictive requirements, and recommend clearer, more uniform standards to improve veterans' eligibility for benefits. It directly affects New Jersey's over 330,000 veterans who currently face confusion about qualifying for property tax deductions, education benefits, and other services due to fragmented definitions. The commission must issue annual reports with findings and recommendations within one year of its first meeting.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 497: Designates portion of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor as "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway."

This bill designates a specific segment of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor (from milepost 45.37 to 47.26) as the "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway" to honor two New Jersey veterans who died in the Vietnam War. It requires the Commissioner of Transportation to install signs bearing this name but prohibits using public funds for the signs. Instead, the bill allows the state to accept private funding from organizations or individuals to cover the costs of producing, installing, and maintaining the signage. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2425: Excludes bonuses for reenlistment or voluntary extension of enlistment in armed forces from gross income.

This bill excludes reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses for U.S. Armed Forces members from New Jersey's gross income tax. It amends the state tax code to specifically remove these bonuses from taxable income, applying to all active-duty and reserve service members, including New Jersey National Guard members on State active duty. The policy directly affects military personnel who receive such bonuses as part of their service compensation. This change provides tax relief by reducing the taxable income of these service members for New Jersey tax purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2378: Provides free admission to State parks, forests, and beaches for certain veterans and military personnel.

S 2378 provides free entry to New Jersey State parks, forests, and beaches for two groups: (1) veterans who are New Jersey residents, and (2) active-duty military personnel (including reserves) who are either New Jersey residents or stationed in the state. This expands current law, which already covers residents aged 62+, totally disabled residents, and National Guard members after training. The bill removes admission fees for these groups while clarifying that disabled veterans also pay no fee for motor vehicle permits on park beaches. It amends existing statutes (P.L.1983, c.324 and P.L.2007, c.275) to define eligibility and streamline access.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2443: Authorizes special plate for holders of "Combat Action Ribbon."

This bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's "Combat Infantryman Badge" license plates to include veterans who hold a Combat Action Ribbon (instead of the Combat Infantryman Badge). It directly affects veterans, particularly Marines, who previously could not qualify for these plates due to their award type. The key provision amends existing law to recognize the Combat Action Ribbon as equivalent, allowing qualifying veterans to obtain distinctive plates bearing the badge emblem for a $15 fee. The bill also permits surviving spouses to retain these plates on vehicles registered to them.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2773: Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for persons serving in military and military veterans.

This bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service" (covering active duty, veterans, and National Guard/reserve members) in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It directly affects military service members, veterans, and their families by adding these categories to the list of protected characteristics under the law. The key mechanism is updating existing definitions and prohibitions in the statute to include military service status as a protected class, ensuring equal treatment in employment, housing, and public spaces. This change aligns with New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination framework without creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1634: 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 changes New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to remove specific date and location requirements for qualifying for civil service jobs and pension benefits. Previously, veterans had to prove service during exact historical periods (like World War I: April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918) or in designated locations (such as Lebanon during specific missions). The bill amends N.J.S.11A:5-1 to eliminate these restrictions, allowing more veterans who served in approved conflicts to qualify. It directly affects veterans whose service dates or locations no longer align with the old criteria but still meet the broader definition of honorable military service.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Employees Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1731: Renames Blue Star Memorial Highway Council as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council; renames Blue Star Memorial Highway system as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system.

S 1731 renames New Jersey's "Blue Star Memorial Highway Council" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council" and updates the "Blue Star Memorial Highway system" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system." The bill specifically aims to honor Gold Star families (those who lost members in military service) by including "Gold Star" in the official names. It requires the Department of Transportation to update all state highway signage within 90 days of the bill's effective date to reflect these new names. This is a procedural renaming bill with no new funding or policy changes beyond the name updates and signage correction.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1459: Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.

S 1459 would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans in New Jersey who own or occupy a primary residence as their main home. The bill defines eligibility to include veterans living in various housing types like condominiums, cooperatives, or manufactured homes, as long as they meet the state's "homestead" criteria for primary residence. This rebate would reduce the property tax burden for qualifying veterans on their eligible home. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SJR 60: Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey.

This resolution designates July each year as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging government officials, community leaders, and businesses to promote support for these enterprises. The resolution cites statistics showing diverse-owned businesses represent significant portions of New Jersey's economy (e.g., 21.7% owned by people of color) while facing challenges like limited capital access. It aims to foster reflection on supporting these businesses through annual observance, without mandating specific policy changes.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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