SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 660

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 28, 2022

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 660.

      This bill clarifies that a military veteran who is 100 percent disabled is required to submit to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) a statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying that he or she is 100 percent disabled on the initial application for disability parking privileges, but not on subsequent renewal applications.  

      Under federal law, a veteran rendered permanently disabled by a service-connected injury may receive from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs a 100 percent disability rating, which entitles the veteran to certain unemployment, health care, and educational benefits.   New Jersey allows these military veterans to receive a disability identification card, placard, and license plates by submitting to the MVC a statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying that they are 100 percent disabled.  A military veteran who qualifies as being 100 percent disabled is not required to submit an application signed by a medical professional. 

      Under this bill, military veterans with a 100 percent disability rating would be required to submit the Department of Veterans Affairs statement on the initial application for parking privileges, but not on subsequent renewal applications. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2022-2023 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services finds that the bill will potentially decrease annual Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) expenditures by a minimal amount, up to an average of $104,000 per year. The bill may alleviate a portion of the annual administrative workload related to the renewal of person with disability cards and the associated wheel chair symbol plates and placards, to the extent that it will eliminate the possibility of multiple interactions with the MVC and trips to MVC locations for 100 percent disabled veterans.