Veterans (Memorials & Recognition)

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

A 1906: Authorizes creation of Woman Veteran license plates.

This bill (A-1906) creates special New Jersey license plates displaying "Woman Veteran" for eligible female veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide military discharge documentation (DD-214) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee. The fees fund a dedicated "Woman Veteran License Plate Fund," which supports programs for female veterans - including shelter assistance for homeless women - administered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs. The Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Adjutant General, designs the plates and manages the program, with initial costs covered by non-public contributions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates dedicated fund via license plate fees to support female veteran programs, including shelter assistance, directly advancing veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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

A 413: Makes desecration of military monument crime of the third degree.

This bill amends New Jersey law to classify intentionally damaging or defacing a military monument as a third-degree crime, rather than a lesser disorderly persons offense. It defines "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting, and specifies that a "military monument" includes any structure honoring military personnel or commemorating battles. The law directly affects individuals who purposefully harm such monuments, with penalties for third-degree crimes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates monument desecration to third-degree crime, expanding criminalization without reform context per indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects military monuments honoring veterans, strengthening recognition of their service through criminal penalties for desecration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4057: Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to fund burial of indigent veterans.

This bill (A4057) creates the "Indigent Veterans’ Burial Services Fund" in New Jersey's Treasury. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state tax refund or make a separate payment when filing their gross income tax return, directing funds to cover burial or cremation costs for indigent veterans. The fund specifically supports veterans who lack resources for burial - such as homeless veterans or those with abandoned remains - beyond the current system where counties cover up to $250 and the state provides additional funding up to $1,250. All collected contributions must be annually appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for these burial expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesVoluntary tax contributions fund burial services for indigent veterans, creating a dedicated public fund without tax increases.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates fund for indigent veterans' burial costs via voluntary taxpayer contributions, directly funding a critical service for vulnerable veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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

A 203: 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.

This bill (A 203) renames the "Blue Star Memorial Highway Council" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council" and the "Blue Star Memorial Highway system" to "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system." It recognizes Gold Star families - immediate relatives of service members killed in combat - by updating the official names. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to update all state highway signage within 90 days of the bill's effective date to reflect the new names. This is a procedural change with no new funding or policy requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly renames highway system to honor Gold Star families (relatives of combat-deceased service members), directly recognizing veterans' sacrifices per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 3303: Updates definition of veteran to include discharged LGBTQ veteran; requires DVA develop review process for such veterans.

This bill updates New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under less than honorable conditions due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related conduct. It directly affects LGBTQ veterans who were discharged for these reasons, expanding their eligibility for state benefits and programs. The key mechanism requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to create a standardized review process to verify a veteran's status as a "discharged LGBTQ veteran," including an eligibility form. The bill amends existing statutes to formally incorporate this new definition into state law, ensuring these veterans qualify for benefits previously reserved for those discharged under honorable conditions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran eligibility for state benefits by updating definition to include LGBTQ veterans discharged for orientation/gender identity, requiring DVA to create review process for access to programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

A 2994: Authorizes special Support Our Veterans license plate with proceeds supporting New Jersey homeless veteran's centers.

This bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The collected fees fund a dedicated "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund," which annually supports the Veterans Haven Council's services for homeless veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities. The fund, managed within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, covers costs for veterans' housing and support programs. The plate design will be chosen with input from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, and initial costs are offset by donations from the Veterans Haven Council and other donors, not public funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing services for homeless veterans via dedicated license plate fees, directly supporting housing programs under Veterans Haven Council.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates dedicated fund from license plate fees to support homeless veterans' housing and services via Veterans Haven Council, directly funding veteran programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SCR 99: Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250.

SCR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for veterans from $250 to $1,250. This change would directly affect honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who are New Jersey residents, applying to property tax bills starting in 2024. The amendment specifies that if a veteran's tax bill is less than $1,250, the tax would be fully canceled. It maintains existing provisions for service-connected disabilities and surviving spouses, and clarifies how deductions apply to veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. The bill must be approved by the legislature and ratified by voters to become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250, providing direct tax relief. Aligns with support indicator of tax relief for eligible groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250, directly expanding financial benefits for honorably discharged veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

AR 66: Urges Congress to issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or similar recognition, to United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 66) urges Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or equivalent recognition) to U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It directly affects veterans who provided training, combat support, and military exercises in Honduras during that period. The resolution, if adopted, would be sent to congressional leaders as a formal request for this recognition. The bill does not create new law but seeks to prompt Congress to address a specific historical recognition for service members.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges Congress to award medal recognizing veterans' service in Honduras 1981-1992, directly supporting veteran recognition as per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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

A 215: Requires public schools to provide age-appropriate information to students in grades nine through 12 on United States military and veterans.

This bill (A 215) requires New Jersey public schools with grades 9-12 to hold two annual events. First, a 30-minute assembly in November (coinciding with Veterans Day) providing age-appropriate content about the U.S. military structure, veterans' contributions, ROTC, and service academies. Second, a separate veterans appreciation event, such as honoring veterans, featuring veteran speakers, or participating in military-focused educational activities. Schools must consult local veterans' associations to help plan the appreciation event. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment for the first full school year after passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum content on military/veterans for grades 9-12, enhancing student educational programs through required assemblies and events.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates schools to educate students on veterans' contributions and hold appreciation events, directly recognizing service per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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

A 383: Creates Veterans' Memorial Homes Oversight Board.

This bill creates an independent Veterans' Memorial Homes Oversight Board to monitor New Jersey's state-run veterans' homes in Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus. The 12-member board - appointed with representation from veterans' organizations, family members of residents, and legislative committees - reviews operations, investigates complaints, identifies systemic issues, and makes recommendations. It must submit monthly public reports to the legislature detailing findings and corrective actions taken at each facility. The board operates separately from the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs and has authority to access relevant government records for its reviews.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates oversight board to monitor veterans' homes, investigate complaints, and improve operations - directly strengthens service accountability and quality for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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