Authorizes DMVA to grant preference in awarding contracts to vendors that employ veterans.
Impact
The bill aims to tackle the persistent high unemployment rates among veterans by incentivizing businesses to hire them. By establishing a criteria based on the percentage of veterans employed, the legislation seeks to foster a more veteran-friendly employment landscape within the state's government contracting processes. This measure is reflective of a broader commitment to supporting veterans' integration into the civilian workforce and can potentially lead to increased stability for veteran families.
Summary
Assembly Bill A3167, known as the 'Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act,' is designed to enhance employment opportunities for military veterans by giving preference to vendors who employ veterans when contracts are awarded by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA). This act allows the Adjutant General to confer a preference based on the percentage of veteran employees among the vendors' full-time staff during the bidding process for contracts, irrespective of whether public advertisement is utilized for bids.
Conclusion
Lastly, as A3167 is introduced pending technical review, it demonstrates a legislative effort to elevate the profile of veteran employment and provide necessary support to a demographic that has historically faced distinct challenges in the job market. The expectations set by the bill could lead to a tangible shift in how state contracts influence local economic development and veteran reintegration efforts.
Contention
One of the notable aspects of the bill is the strict adherence to verification processes. The Adjutant General is mandated to verify the employment claims of vendors within 30 days, and significant penalties, including a five-year debarment from contracting, are imposed for misrepresentation of employee statistics. This creates a rigorous accountability mechanism but may also raise questions about the complexities and administrative burdens on small vendors who might struggle to meet these requirements.