LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

SENATE, No. 1286

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: FEBRUARY 29, 2024

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

Establishes New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in DMVA.

Type of Impact:

Annual State expenditure increase.

Agencies Affected:

Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

  Annual  

 

State Expenditure Increase

$55,000 to $155,000 per 1,000 gravesites

 

 

 

 

·         The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill will annually increase State expenditures between $55,000 and $155,000 per 1,000 veteran gravesites from the implementation of the New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program, although costs could be higher.  Total costs under the program will ultimately depend on the number of veteran gravesites serviced per year, the type and frequency of services performed, and the amount of grants awarded.

 

 

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      This bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs.  The program will provide grants to a nonprofit veterans’ organization or a federally chartered Veterans’ Service Organization, to provide veteran gravesite maintenance.

      This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to develop guidelines and procedures for the submission of applications, as well as the criteria for evaluating applications.  Additionally, the department must establish the terms and conditions for the awarding of the grants and require the recipient of the grant to report their use of grant funds.  The bill also requires the department to submit a request for sufficient funds to carry out the purposes and the intent of the program in their annual budget request.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received.

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The OLS estimates that this bill will annually increase State expenditures in the range of $55,000 to $155,000 per 1,000 veteran gravesites from the implementation of the New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program, depending on the frequency of maintenance and the services provided.

      The OLS estimates maintenance costs for one gravesite at a rate between $55 for an annual headstone cleaning and $155 for an annual headstone cleaning with one maintenance visit.   Based on these rates, the total annual maintenance cost for 1,000 gravesites is between $55,000 and $155,000.  Costs per 1,000 gravesites could be double or triple these amounts if more frequent or additional maintenance services are provided.  Total costs under the program will ultimately depend on the number of veteran gravesites serviced per year, the type and frequency of services performed, and the amount of grants awarded. 

 

Section:

State Government

Analyst:

Camryn Mathews

Assistant Fiscal Analyst

Approved:

Thomas Koenig

Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

 

This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

 

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).