Bill
Bill > S1522
NJ S1522
NJ S1522Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would expand upon current law to provide that disabled veterans would be entitled to free admission to State parks and forests. In addition, this bill provides that persons with any of the following types of military service would also be entitled to free admission to State parks and forests and to free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates: (1) a member of a unit of the organized reserve of the Armed Forces of the United States which is located in New Jersey; (2) an active duty member of any branch or department of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a resident of the State or who is based or stationed in the State regardless of residency; and (3) a retired member of the New Jersey National Guard. Finally, this bill provides that the benefits authorized in the bill and in current law would apply to both residents and nonresidents of the State who meet the established criteria for active or former military status. Current law provides that active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training may obtain free admission to State parks and forests as well as free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates. Current law also provides that disabled veterans qualify for free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and certificates but not free admission to State parks and forests.
AI Summary
This bill expands upon existing law to grant free admission to State parks and forests, as well as free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, to a broader group of military personnel and veterans. Specifically, it extends these benefits to members of the organized reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces located in New Jersey, active duty members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces who are residents or stationed in New Jersey, and retired members of the New Jersey National Guard. The bill also clarifies that "disabled veteran" refers to any person honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces who has a service-connected disability of any degree as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These expanded benefits will apply to both residents and nonresidents who meet the specified military service criteria, building upon current provisions that offer similar benefits to active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed initial training and to disabled veterans for hunting and fishing licenses.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1522 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1522_I1.HTM |
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