Assembly committee advances proportional property-tax rebate for disabled veterans, caps rebate at $5,000

The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to release A3169, an Assembly committee substitute that would allow veterans with service‑connected disabilities to receive a state property‑tax rebate proportional to their disability rating, capped at $5,000 and limited to veterans with gross income up to $200,000.

Supporters said the rebate would not reduce eligibility for the constitutional veterans property‑tax deduction or the constitutional senior and disabled citizens deduction, and that the rebate application would be included in the combined property‑tax relief application created under revisions to the Stay NJ program. "This property tax rebate will allow many veterans to remain in their homes that they are in danger of losing," George R. Schnepp Jr., department adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) department of New Jersey, told the committee.

The measure drew multiple veterans' organization endorsements during public testimony. Gary Edward Meyer, representing the DAV Veterans Protection Team and a local judge advocate and benefits officer, said the bill "can really change the quality of life and allow veterans to stay in the state because they really, really need assistance on any level." Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who testified in support and described himself as a combat veteran, said the measure could affect about 60,000 veterans in New Jersey and estimated a long‑term fiscal impact in the low hundreds of millions that he described as “debatable.”

Committee members who spoke during the roll call voiced unanimous support. Assemblyman Sawicki, Assemblyman Rump, Assemblywoman Kane, Assemblywoman McCoy and Assemblyman Bergen each said they would vote yes on release; Chairwoman Cleopatra Tucker announced the bill was released to the floor. The committee did not record a full named tally for members beyond those who spoke during roll call.

The bill's text, as described to the committee, would: - Provide a property‑tax rebate proportional to a veteran's percentage of service‑connected disability; - Cap the rebate at $5,000 per tax year; - Restrict eligibility to filers with gross income up to $200,000; - Preserve eligibility for constitutionally established property‑tax deductions for veterans, seniors, and disabled citizens; and - Include the rebate application in the combined property‑tax relief application tied to the Stay NJ program.

Committee members and advocates urged the Assembly to move the bill quickly. Assemblyman Bergen said the bill already cleared a Senate committee and, if posted on the Assembly floor, could move toward final passage. The committee did not adopt amendments on the floor of the committee hearing, and members said they would continue caucusing to ensure final votes on the floor.

The bill will now go to the full Assembly for consideration. The committee did not set an implementation or effective date during the hearing.