ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2993

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 23, 2025

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2993.

      As amended, this bill allows counties and municipalities to annually provide up to $70,000 of voluntary contributions to nonprofit veterans’ organizations located within the county or municipality.  The bill defines a “nonprofit veterans’ organization” as any organization which provides support services to those who have served in the armed forces of the United States, including, but not limited to, services related to the physical, emotional, and medical needs of veterans, and which qualifies as a section 501(c)(19) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code.  Currently, R.S.40:5-2 allows counties and municipalities to provide up to $125,000 of financial assistance annually for volunteer emergency services associations.

      This bill was pre-filed 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· stipulate that a voluntary contribution to a nonprofit veterans’ organization is required to address issues concerning, but not limited to, housing assistance, food security, mental health and suicide prevention, career transitions and advancement, transportation, and veteran family resources;

· change the definition of a “nonprofit veterans’ organization” to specify that the nonprofit veterans’ organization is required to qualify as a section 501(c)(19) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code; and

· make technical corrections.