ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 285

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

      The Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 285.

      This bill establishes a permanent study commission on the various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran.

      Of the total membership, one member would be appointed by the Governor, one member would be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, one member would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one member would be appointed by the General Assembly Minority Leader.  The appointee by the Governor will be an employee of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs.

      The purpose of the study commission would be to (1) determine the various definitions of “veteran,” “disabled veteran,” “service-disabled veteran,” and any other definition of veteran in the statutes, and (2) recommend changes to such definitions in the statutes that may provide greater uniformity and be less restrictive.

      The study commission would:

      (1)  compile and analyze the various definitions of “veteran,” “disabled veteran,” “service-disabled veteran,” and any other definition of veteran in the statutes;

      (2)  identify statutes with unique and restrictive requirements for the various definitions and determine if the requirements may be revised for the benefit of more uniform definitions;

      (3)  identify potential revisions to be made to the statutes to provide for a clearer understanding of the requirements for qualification under the various definitions;

      (4)  consult with the military community for their expertise and input on its work; and

      (5)  utilize the findings of the study commission, and the expertise from the military community, to recommend changes to the various definitions.

      The bill requires the study commission to prepare and issue an annual report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and submit it to the Governor, the Legislature, the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, or its successor, and the General Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, or its successor.  The first annual report will be issued no later than 12 months after the commission organizes.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.