NJ A3459

Creates a Military and Veterans Affairs Oversight Board within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to oversee all veteran service officers, departmental entities, and programs serving military members, veterans, and their families across all state executive branch agencies

Board membership consists of heads (or designees) of all veteran 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organizations operating in New Jersey, with American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and VFW leaders serving as initial co-chairs before a permanent chair and vice-chair are elected to three-year terms

Board members receive $1,000 per diem for each monthly meeting attended, capped at $12,000 annually, plus reimbursement for travel expenses; members must attend at least one meeting every eight months to retain their position

Requires all state agencies providing veteran services to appoint liaisons to the board, submit biannual reports detailing programs and number of persons assisted, and annually present relevant budget portions to the board

Board must submit an initial report within nine months of its organizational meeting, followed by annual reports with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature addressing program effectiveness, accessibility, healthcare, housing, employment, and criminal justice issues for veterans