ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1419

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 9, 1996

      The Assembly Commerce and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly, No. 1419.

      This bill amends existing law to insure that veterans who served in "Operation Restore Hope" in Somalia and who meet the criteria set forth in the bill are eligible for certain State benefits. The bill establishes in law certain inception and termination dates for that operation.

      The bill amends five sections of law: the definition of "veteran" for the purpose of eligibility for civil service preference; the definition of "veteran" for the purpose of eligibility for enhanced benefits in the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and for the purpose of purchasing service credit for military service by members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS); and the definition of "veteran" for the purpose of eligibility for the annual veterans personal property tax deduction.

      The bill establishes December 5, 1992 as the inception date of "Operation Restore Hope," or the date of inception of that operation, as proclaimed by the President of the United States or Congress, whichever date of inception is the earliest. The bill establishes March 31, 1994 as the termination date of "Operation Restore Hope," or the date of termination of that operation, as proclaimed by the President of the United States or Congress, whichever date of termination is the latest.

      These dates have been recognized by the United States Department of Defense as the inception and termination dates of this operation for the purpose of establishing eligibility for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for members of the United States armed forces who participated in this operation.