Bill
Bill > A1905
NJ A1905
NJ A1905Authorizes DMVA to grant preference in awarding contracts to vendors that employ veterans.
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
The purpose of this bill is to help alleviate the high rate of unemployment among military veterans by creating an incentive for vendors seeking contracts with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to employ veterans. The bill provides that in awarding contracts for the purchase of goods or services by the department, with or without public advertising for bids, the Adjutant General may grant a preference to vendors based upon the number of full-time employees of that vendor who are veterans. If the Adjutant General determines to grant such a preference for a particular contract, the Adjutant General will determine for each of the top three vendors the number of the vendor's full-time employees and the number of the vendor's full-time employees who are veterans. The contract will be awarded to the vendor having the highest percentage of such employees who are veterans. The bill defines "veteran" to include a disabled veteran. In making this determination, the Adjutant General may rely on information submitted by each vendor. However, the Adjutant General must verify that information within 30 calendar days and if it is determined that any business has knowingly and willfully misrepresented the number of its employees or the number of its employees who are veterans, the Adjutant General will immediately debar that business and its principals from contracting with the department for a period of five years. If the misrepresentation was committed by the vendor that has been awarded the contract, the Adjutant General will also terminate that contract. The department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq., will adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the bill's provisions. This act will be known and may be cited as the "Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act."
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act," aims to reduce veteran unemployment by giving preference to companies that hire veterans when awarding contracts for goods and services from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA). The Adjutant General, who oversees the DMVA, can choose to implement this preference, and if they do, they will examine the top three bidding vendors. They will then compare the percentage of full-time employees who are veterans at each of these top three companies, with "veteran" defined to include disabled veterans. The contract will be awarded to the company with the highest percentage of veteran employees. Vendors must provide information about their employees, which the Adjutant General will verify within 30 days. If a vendor knowingly misrepresents their veteran employee numbers, they will be banned from contracting with the DMVA for five years, and if the awarded contractor is found to have misrepresented, their contract will also be terminated. The DMVA will establish rules to put these provisions into effect.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (5)
Carol Murphy (D)*,
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*,
Cleopatra Tucker (D)*,
Brian Bergen (R),
Vicky Flynn (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs 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/A1905 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1905_I1.HTM |
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