Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1523: Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill (S 1523) removes specific time period and location requirements for New Jersey veterans to qualify for state benefits. It amends the definition of "veteran" to eliminate the need to have served during exact historical conflict dates (like WWII or Vietnam War periods) or in designated locations. Veterans who served in the Armed Forces but missed these specific windows - such as those with service outside the defined dates - will now qualify if they meet the general service duration requirement (e.g., 90 days active duty). The change specifically affects veterans who previously couldn’t claim benefits due to timing/location constraints, while maintaining exceptions for those with service-connected injuries.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 21, 2026

S 1548: Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers.

S 1548 proposes a new "Support Our Veterans" license plate for New Jersey vehicle owners. Drivers who choose this plate would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. All collected fees would fund veterans' services at Veterans Haven facilities through the Veterans Haven Council, after covering initial administrative costs. The program would support housing and services for homeless veterans, with funds deposited into a dedicated state fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2432: Allows person on police officer or firefighter eligible list who is unable to complete requirements for employment due to certain military service to have name placed on subsequent eligible list.

This bill (S 2432) helps National Guard and Reserve members who served at least 30 days of continuous active duty after September 11, 2001, and before the end of Operation Enduring Freedom or Freedom’s Sentinel. It allows them to have their names placed on a future eligible list for police officer or firefighter jobs if they previously passed the civil service exam but couldn’t complete employment due to military service. The bill also ensures that if they met the age requirement when the original list was created, they’re treated as meeting it when placed on the new list.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2376: Provides free admission to State parks and forests, and certain historic sites and historic properties for certain veterans on certain days.

New Jersey's S 2376 provides free admission to state parks, forests, and certain historic sites for veterans on Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. It directly affects veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged from military service, including WWII Merchant Marine members eligible for federal benefits. The bill requires veterans to show proof of service and discharge, and it applies to state-owned parks/forests, historic properties funded by state moneys (like Green Acres bonds), and county/municipal historic sites. This policy change eliminates admission fees for qualifying veterans on these designated days, building on existing exemptions for veterans' organizations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1302: Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of US Armed Forces, NJ National Guard, and reserve component of US Armed Forces; creates permanent commission to study various definitions related to veteran status.

S 1302 creates two bodies to address veteran support in New Jersey. A 13-member task force will study issues faced by service members returning from Afghanistan/Iraq deployments (including mental health, employment, and family needs) and recommend state actions. A separate 5-member commission will review inconsistent state definitions of "veteran" and "disabled veteran" to improve clarity and uniformity. Both groups must issue reports with findings and legislative recommendations within six months. The bill directly affects returning National Guard members, reservists, and their families, focusing on practical support systems rather than new benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1204: "New Jersey Battlefield to Boardroom Act"; provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for qualified wages of certain veterans.*

New Jersey's S 1204 creates tax credits for businesses hiring veterans. Companies can claim up to $1,200 per qualified veteran annually (10% of their wages) if they hire at least 25% veterans among new employees, maintain 50% retention of previously hired veterans, and provide workplace veteran support services. The credit applies to wages paid between 2020-2024 for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. It directly affects New Jersey businesses and veterans who are honorably discharged post-1965 with proof of service (e.g., DD-214 form). The bill does not cover wages already used for other state tax credits or grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 857: Requires EDA to establish program providing grants to qualified veterans purchasing franchises.

This bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a grant program for veterans purchasing franchises. It provides up to $10,000 in one-time funding to "qualified veterans" (veterans approved by the EDA) who become franchisees operating in New Jersey. The EDA will establish application rules, prioritize veterans applying within six months of the bill's effective date, and require grantees to report how the funds were used within one year. The program aims to support veterans entering franchise ownership through financial assistance, with funding sourced from state appropriations or private donations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1592: Prohibits school districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting policies that bar military members or veterans from addressing students.

This bill prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges from adopting policies that bar active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students at events like assemblies, classes, or graduation ceremonies. It requires schools to forward any correspondence from military members seeking to speak to county superintendents and allows state aid to be withheld for non-compliance. Public colleges face similar penalties, with the State Treasurer authorized to withhold operating funds for violations. The law takes immediate effect and directly affects educational institutions' policies regarding military and veteran speakers.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1599: Establishes Women Veterans Coordinator in DMVA.

S 1599 creates a Women Veterans Coordinator position within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), to be appointed by the Adjutant General. The coordinator, required to be a veteran, will directly assist women veterans discharged under honorable conditions from U.S. military service (including the New Jersey National Guard) with employment, education, housing, healthcare, and benefits navigation. Key provisions include developing statewide support programs, distributing informational materials about available resources, holding quarterly meetings with women veterans, and annually recommending policy improvements to the Governor and Legislature. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1553: Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death.

This bill changes how annual compensation is paid to surviving spouses of veterans who were blind or severely disabled due to wartime service. Currently, payments begin from the date the spouse applies, but this bill requires payments to start from the veteran's date of death (or April 9, 1985 for veterans who died before that date), regardless of when the spouse applies. It affects surviving spouses of eligible veterans who served in conflicts like WWII, Korea, or Vietnam and received benefits under New Jersey law. The benefit amount remains $750 annually, with accrued payments paid as a lump sum. The change applies immediately to those already receiving these benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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