ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3679

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. 3679.

      As amended by the committee, this bill establishes the New Jersey Veterans’ Organization Building Grant Program.

     The bill establishes a grant program in the Economic Development Authority that will support veterans’ organizations and their building needs, throughout the State.  These organizations, such as VFW posts, could be in need of new buildings or could have buildings that are in need of repair.  Grants will be awarded when the buildings are used to assist veterans.  In order to award the grants, this bill establishes a fund in the Department of the Treasury, to be known as the “Veterans’ Organization Building Grant Fund.”  This grant program will be funded by the Legislature through yearly appropriations to the fund.  The grant program also allows New Jersey taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their tax refund, or enclose a separate contribution, for the fund.

     There is appropriated from the General Fund $2,000,000 to the Economic Development Authority to fund the “Veterans’ Organization Building Grant Program.”

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments make technical changes to the bill to update a section of the bill to its current law version.