SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1286

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 8, 2024

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1286.

      This bill would establish a grant program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) for qualified veterans’ organizations to maintain veteran gravesites across the State.  DMVA would be required to develop guidelines, procedures, and criteria for applications and awards.  The grant recipients would be required to report grant fund use to DMVA.  Implementation of the grant program would be subject to a future appropriation by the Legislature.

     The bill defines “qualified veterans' organization” as a nonprofit veterans' organization that is a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or a federally chartered Veterans' Service Organization.

      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.