NJ SCR92

Bill

Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents.

Introduced
02/15/2024

In Committee
02/15/2024

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This concurrent resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution's homestead rebate provision to allow honorably discharged United States Armed Forces war veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses, and unmarried surviving spouses of United States military personnel who died while on active duty in time of war to receive the same larger homestead property tax rebate as is allowed for eligible senior citizens and disabled citizens. The State Constitution currently allows for a differential homestead property tax rebate to be paid to homestead owners or residential tenants who are senior citizens and disabled citizens. Under the recently enacted "New Jersey School Assessment Valuation Exemption Relief and Homestead Property Tax Rebate Act" (NJ SAVER and Homestead Rebate Act), P.L.1999, c.63, approximately 125,000 senior tenants and disabled tenants are eligible for an annual Homestead Rebate benefit of up to $500 that has averaged for these claimants about $410. Under that act, if the NJ SAVER provisions produce a greater benefit than the homestead rebate, the greater NJ SAVER rebate will be paid. Under this constitutional amendment, and companion implementing legislation, approximately 330,000 war veterans or their surviving spouses would be eligible to also receive the greater of the "circuit-breaker" type homestead rebate, currently available only to senior and disabled citizens, or the NJ SAVER rebate. The war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses who would be eligible for the enhanced homestead rebate are the same war time military personnel who are eligible under the State Constitution for the veterans' $50 real property tax deduction. While this $50 deduction would continue to be extended to these veterans and their surviving spouses, the extension of the enhanced homestead rebate will provide a long overdue increase in personal property tax relief for this well-deserving group of residents, who have not had any increase in their $50 property tax deduction since it was incorporated into the State Constitution in 1953.

AI Summary

This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax rebates to include war veterans and certain surviving spouses, mirroring existing tax relief provisions for senior citizens and disabled residents. Specifically, the amendment would allow honorably discharged United States Armed Forces veterans who served during wartime, their unmarried surviving spouses, and unmarried surviving spouses of military personnel who died while on active duty during war to receive the same enhanced homestead rebate currently available to seniors and disabled citizens. The proposed change would extend tax relief to approximately 330,000 veterans and their surviving spouses, providing them with a potentially greater "circuit-breaker" type rebate or NJ SAVER (School Assessment Valuation Exemption Relief) rebate. This amendment builds upon the existing $50 real property tax deduction for veterans that has remained unchanged since 1953, aiming to provide additional property tax relief to those who have served the country during times of war. If approved, the amendment would be submitted to voters at the next general election, with a ballot question explaining the proposed expansion of homestead rebate eligibility.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*,

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 02/15/2024)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SCR92

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SCR92
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/92_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
ACR62	Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee	Carry Over
ACR86	Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee	Same As
SCR103	Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee	Carry Over

Bill > SCR92

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary