SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 97

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 19, 2020

      The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 97.

      At present, the State Constitution allows a veteran who served in time of war to receive a civil service hiring preference for public employment, and allows a veteran who served in time of war or during other emergency to receive a property tax deduction.

      This proposed amendment would make a veteran eligible for these benefits if the veteran served in support of a federal military combat operation and received a badge, medal, or ribbon.

      The criteria for a badge, medal, or ribbon is determined by the federal government and generally include, but are not limited to, military operations with active or potentially active opposing hostile forces and performance under enemy fire with a risk of grave danger.