ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 3143
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 6, 2024
The Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports
favorably Assembly Bill No. 3143.
This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by
eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific
wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a
veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates
or in specific locations, the bill requires a veteran to serve for at
least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order
to be eligible for any of the veterans' benefits identified in the bill.
The bill also requires a veteran of a Reserve Component of the
United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, to serve
the entire period to which called to federal active service, exclusive
of training, in order to be eligible for the veterans' benefits. A
veteran who is discharged as the result of a service-connected
disability will be eligible even if the veteran has not completed the
90 day service period or the period to which called to federal active
service.
The benefits that an eligible veteran could apply for are (1) a
civil service hiring preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey
Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers'
Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees'
Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional
military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement
System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS. In addition, the surviving spouse
of a veteran or of a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States or a Reserve Component thereof killed while in active
service is eligible in certain instances for a civil service preference.
The bill also provides that an active service member of the
United States Armed Forces or a member of a Reserve Component
thereof, including the National Guard, who has not been discharged
from service is eligible for the civil service hiring preference
provided that the member otherwise qualifies as a veteran.
Eligibility for civil service hiring preference is contingent upon
voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State
Constitution. 2
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.