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A 5893

Allows prospective and current agency personnel receive certification through remote training methods

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Hevesi and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes the New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust to raise, invest, and disburse funds for veterans and families, via grants/loans and related programs, independent within DMVA.

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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Bill Summary · A 5893

Summary of Assembly Bill A 5893

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust as a body corporate and politic within, but not of, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
  • The trust’s purpose is to provide monetary and other assistance to veterans, veterans’ families, and public/private programs that support veterans and their families, including any programs the trust deems aligned with its mission.

Key provisions

1) Establishment and governance

  • Creation of the New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust as an instrumentality of the State.
  • A 14-member Board of Trustees governs the trust.

2) Board composition

  • Ex officio members (9):
    • Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs (chairs the board)
    • Commissioners (or designees) of Human Services, Health, Labor and Workforce Development, Community Affairs, Transportation
    • Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (or designee)
  • Public members (4):
    • Representatives appointed by the Governor from veterans service organizations, a nonprofit serving veterans, and the business community
  • Legislative members (4):
    • One General Assembly member appointed by the Speaker
    • One Senator appointed by the Senate President
    • One General Assembly member appointed by the Minority Leader
    • One Senator appointed by the Minority Leader
  • Public appointees are to represent northern, central, and southern regions of the state.

3) Terms and compensation

  • Trustees appointed by the Governor serve four-year terms (initial terms include two with two-year durations).
  • Legislative appointees serve for the two-year legislative term in which appointed.
  • Trustees serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
  • Meetings: minimum of two times per calendar year; majority constitutes a quorum. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides staff and facilities.

4) Trust powers and operations

  • Authority to solicit and accept gifts, grants, endowments from various public and private sources.
  • Maintain a fund to receive and disburse gifts/grants.
  • Provide grants or loans to veterans, families, and relevant programs; sponsor projects; contract authority; accept appropriations; acquire/hold/convey property; lease office space; adopt bylaws; sue/be sued to enforce contracts.
  • Exercise of these powers is intended to advance the trust’s mission without requiring prior consent from a state department or agency in every instance.

5) Fund use and limitations

  • Monies may be used only for grants/loans (section 2), investments (section 4), and administration costs (admin account within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs).
  • Funds may not substitute for ongoing department funding.

6) Investment and financial controls

  • Investments permitted in a range of securities, with an overall portfolio rating of at least AA.
  • Establishment of financial controls, audits, and reporting systems; compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • State audits apply to the trust’s books and records.

7) Reporting

  • Annual report due February 1 to the Governor and Legislature detailing activities, gifts/grants, administrative costs, fund balances, and other relevant information.

8) Effective date

  • Takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relationship to existing structure

  • Placed within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, but endowed with independent authority to raise and manage funds for veterans-related support, subject to state audits and reporting.

Legislative status and related measures

  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Children and Families Committee.
  • Primary sponsor: Andrew Hevesi; cosponsor: Demond Meeks.
  • Related Senate companion: S 5437.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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