SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3410

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 21, 2024

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3410.

This bill establishes a Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force.  The purpose of the task force will be to study, evaluate, and develop recommendations to address the transportation needs of disabled veterans. 

     The task force will consist of the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the President of New Jersey Transit, and the Adjutant General will appoint: at least three disabled veterans; at least three representatives from different veterans organizations; and at least three representatives from different Boards of County Commissioners. 

     The task force will hold at least three public hearings in different parts of the State and elicit testimony from the public at such times and places as the chairs will designate. 

     It will be the duty of the task force to:

     identify ways to improve and increase transportation opportunities for disabled veterans;

     identify barriers that exist to providing disabled veterans with transportation opportunities;

     develop recommendations regarding reimbursement of travel expenses, including, but not limited to, utilizing travel allowances and mileage based reimbursement; and

     make recommendations for legislation or such other action as it deems appropriate with regard to transportation opportunities for disabled veterans. 

     The task force will submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations no later than six months after its initial organizational meeting, and a final report of its findings and recommendations no later than 12 months after its initial organizational meeting.  The report will be publicly accessible and posted on the website of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.