Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 481: Establishes Veterans Assistance for Nutritional Needs Program in DHS.

This bill creates the Veterans Assistance for Nutritional Needs Program, which rebrands New Jersey's existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to specifically promote and serve veterans. It requires the Division of Family Development to develop new promotional materials, branded electronic benefits transfer cards, and a separate website for veterans, while keeping all SNAP eligibility rules, benefits, and federal funding unchanged. The program directly affects veterans who meet state definitions (honorable military discharge from U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey militia), aiming to increase their access to nutrition benefits. The bill explicitly states it does not alter SNAP's core program structure or replace it with a new system.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 571: Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans.

This bill provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for hiring disabled veterans. Specifically, businesses receive a 15% credit (capped at $1,800 per veteran) on qualified wages paid to disabled veterans with a 30%+ VA disability rating who are hired after the bill's enactment and employed for at least 185 business days. The credit applies to wages paid between 2023 and 2026 for both corporation business tax and individual gross income tax. Businesses cannot claim this credit if the same wages are used for other state tax credits, and they must avoid displacing other employees solely to access the benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1839: Establishes "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" to provide annual financial support to eligible family members of New Jersey service members who died while on active duty. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are surviving spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen military members (defined as "Gold Star family members"). The program pays a fixed $600 annual annuity on January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). Non-residents are excluded, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1207: Requires municipalities to designate parking spaces for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to reserve at least one parking space near city hall or other main municipal buildings exclusively for vehicles displaying disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient license plates or placards. It directly affects disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients by ensuring accessible parking near government buildings, building on existing exemptions for parking meter fees. The key provision mandates municipalities to designate these spaces, with the Motor Vehicle Commission already issuing the required license plates and placards. The law would take effect immediately but remain inactive for six months after enactment to allow time for compliance.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1602: Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for disabled veterans who rent their primary residence (homestead), allowing them to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes. The credit applies to rent paid for residential rental units where the disabled veteran occupies the home as their primary residence, based on 18% of rent being considered equivalent to property taxes. Married disabled veterans filing separately can each claim half the credit, while those sharing the home with others (not their spouse) can only claim the credit for the rent they personally paid. The credit is nonrefundable, cannot reduce taxes below zero, and works alongside an existing $50 credit for older or disabled renters. The bill is pending in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee as of its introduction date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1595: Exempts volunteer fire companies, emergency service providers, and veteran organizations from charitable registration fees.

S 1595 exempts volunteer fire companies, nonprofit emergency medical/rescue services, and qualified veteran organizations from paying registration fees under New Jersey's Charitable Registration and Investigation Act. Currently, charitable groups raising over $10,000 annually must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs and pay a fee; this bill removes that requirement for the specified volunteer organizations. The exemption applies to fire companies (including part-paid), emergency service providers, and veteran groups meeting IRS 501(c)(3)/501(c)(19 criteria, provided they operate entirely on volunteer basis. This changes the policy by eliminating a financial burden for these community service groups without altering their charitable status.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1215: Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.

This bill allows honorably discharged veterans in New Jersey to obtain special license plates displaying "Veteran" and their military branch insignia. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (like a DD-214) and pay a $15 fee on top of standard registration costs. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans may continue using the plates on their vehicles. The plates are designed by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the commission will notify drivers about the option during registration renewals.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 807: Requires municipality to provide free beach access to certain veterans.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities with ocean or tidal water shorelines to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. It amends existing law to make this free access mandatory (replacing the previous optional provision) for qualifying veterans, including those discharged due to medical reasons. Municipalities must accept federal discharge documents (like DD-214 forms) or state-issued veteran IDs as proof. The policy directly affects shore municipalities and veterans meeting the discharge criteria, eliminating fees they previously might have paid.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 917: Modifies requirements for operation of certain food and service stands in State, county, and municipal buildings, grounds, and premises.

This bill modifies rules for food and service stands (like cafes or newsstands) in New Jersey public buildings. Currently operated by blind individuals under the Commission for the Blind, stands become available to new operators when vacant: after 3 months to disabled person-owned businesses (at least 51% disabled-owned), after 6 months to veteran-owned businesses (at least 51% veteran-owned), and after 9 months to any business. No fees or charges are required for disabled or veteran businesses operating these stands. If a non-blind operator stops, the stand reverts to the Commission for blind operation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2424: Prohibits public institution of higher education from charging tuition to student who is dependent child of veteran who died or is disabled as result of service-related injury.

S 2424 provides tuition-free education at New Jersey public colleges for dependent children of veterans who died or are totally disabled due to service-related injuries, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It covers up to 60 credit hours for associate degrees and 120 credit hours for bachelor's degrees, subject to residency requirements, academic progress standards, and proof that the student has applied for all available federal and state financial aid. The bill requires students to have no other federal tuition benefits covering the same cost and to apply for VA benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse public colleges for waived tuition costs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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