Legislative Priorities

PRESERVE THE ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE - The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will redouble our efforts to work with Congress, New Jersey’s State Legislature, and both the President’s and Governor’s Administrations to preserve the All-Volunteer Force by calling for proper oversight and scrutiny to both the domestic and foreign military mission and decision-making, investment in military quality-of-life programs, and an end of arbitrary budget caps, offering solidarity to those who volunteer to serve in a military that must protect American interests in a very dangerous and unpredictable world. The State of New Jersey can improve our troops’ quality of life by eliminating state income tax burdens forced upon troops not currently residing in New Jersey. 

ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT IN THE MILITARY - The Veterans of Foreign demands Department of Defense and the NJ National Guard become more aggressive in its efforts to reduce sexual assault and harassment, to provide victims with proper and necessary medical and mental health care, as well as assistance with disability claims as may be required, to aggressively and diligently investigate every reported incident and punish attackers, as well as individuals involved in acts of retribution and retaliation, and identify areas for improvement.

VETERAN NURSING HOMES – The Veterans of Foreign Wars urges the VA to ensure that Community Nursing Homes, state nursing homes, and contract nursing homes receive proper oversight and are accountable to the same high standards expected through the VA Healthcare System; and we urge Congress to establish a standard Department of Veterans Affairs and state veteran nursing home entitlement for all veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. We demand that New Jersey’s veterans under state care in the Memorial Homes reside in adequately staffed 5-star facilities, free from hazards and environmental concerns. We demand the Governor’s Office continue to move forward with the VFW initiated capital improvement plans for the Menlo Park and Paramus Homes and that the State Legislature approve the funds required under the federal grant. 

MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS – The Veterans of Foreign Wars strongly urges the Governor’s Office and State Legislature to continue to adequately fund mental health treatment. We also urge the State to dedicate adequate resources to address the alarming rate at which Veterans and National Guard troops die by suicide.

DMAVA BUDGET - The Veterans of Foreign Wars strongly urges that any state funds distributed to non-profits or other entities be properly accounted for, that the use of the funds be evaluated annually for effectiveness, and that the non-profits adhere to all state and federal laws concerning incorporation filings and Internal Revenue Service filings. 

 

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Supported Legislation

2024-2025 NJ State Legislative Session

 

A131 – S158

Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for disabled veterans and individuals with certain types of military service.

 A260 - S872

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

 A261 – No Senate 

Establishing veterans’ affordable housing preference; authorizing bonus fair share credit for veterans’ affordable housing. This bill has not been certified by OLS for a fiscal note.

 A285 – S417 

Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran. This bill has not been certified by OLS for a fiscal note.

 A302 - S1201

Makes desecration of a military monument a crime of the third degree.

 A320 - S3216 

Expands NJT Access Link paratransit service area to include certain veterans health care facilities; appropriates $1 million.

 A518 Aca (1R) - S1069 Sca (1R)

Establishes county veteran transportation grant program; removes certain restrictions to the current veterans transportation assistance program; appropriates $2 million.

 A730 - S2774

Requires local government units to provide opportunities for military- or veteran- owned businesses to supply materials and services for projects receiving funding from NJ Infrastructure Bank.

 A885 - S2061

Requires State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct study of utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in State procurement process.

 A1134

Establishes Women Veterans Coordinator in DMVA.

 A1436 - S3657

Increases days of paid leave of absence for public employees who serve in United States Reserves.

 A1566

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

 A1752

Exempts veterans’ organizations from motor vehicle registration fee.

 A2398

Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit. Needs to revise and broaden the definition of a disabled veteran.

 A2406

Encourages expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans; prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services.

 A2526 - S2181

Requires school district to allow graduating student to wear military sash while participating in high school graduation ceremony.

 A2703 - S627

Excludes military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax. 

 A2740 -S868

Exempts certain veterans from gross income tax - have gross income of $50,000 or less

 A2743

Establishes Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission.

 A3157

Requires DMVA create Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of certain veterans. VFW sponsored.

 A3161 - S1608

Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. VFW sponsored.

 A3169 - S3084

Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. VFW Sponsored

 A3171 - S3492 Sca (1R)

Requires converting portion of Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single occupancy rooms; requires upgrades to ventilation systems; provides Adjutant General discretion for additional room considerations. VFW sponsored.

 A3173/3160 Acs - S2750

Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters.

 A3176 -S1068

Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million. Testified Yes

 A3177 - S1065

Establishes New Jersey Veteran Services Grant Program in DMVA; makes appropriation. Testified Yes with amendments

 A 3203 - S838

Creates sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator for service members.

 A3459-S3998

Creates Military and Veterans Affairs Oversight Board. VFW sponsored.

 ACR58 - SCR81 ACR58

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years.

 ACR98 - SCR107

Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to extend civil service hiring preference to veterans who did not serve in time of war.