Bill
Bill > A3643
NJ A3643
NJ A3643Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for disabled veterans and 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 all 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 are disabled or 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 who are State residents 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 New Jersey State parks and forests, as well as free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, to a broader group of individuals. Specifically, it now includes all disabled veterans, regardless of residency, in addition to active duty members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in New Jersey, members of New Jersey-based organized reserve units, and retired members of the New Jersey National Guard. The bill also clarifies that these benefits apply to both residents and nonresidents who meet the criteria, and it defines "disabled veteran" as any person with an honorable discharge and a service-connected disability recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, removing the previous residency requirement for this designation. These changes build upon current law, which already offered some benefits to active members of the New Jersey National Guard and resident disabled veterans for hunting and fishing licenses, and to active New Jersey National Guard members for park admission.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3643 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3643_I1.HTM |
Loading...