Governor Murphy recently signed legislation that would establish a new cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs in New Jersey, reorganizing the existing Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA).
Currently, the DMAVA manages both military operations and veterans’ services. Under this new law, the newly established Department of Veterans Affairs will exclusively focus on veteran-related matters, such as delivering housing, health care, mental health services, and benefits for veterans and their families. Military functions will continue at the current department, which will be renamed the Department of Military Affairs.
The law takes effect 120 days after enactment, on January 9, 2026, allowing for anticipatory administrative actions, and maintains existing veterans’ services without creating new programs or appropriations.
Governor Murphy also announced that Vincent Solomeno is his intended nominee for Commissioner for the Department of Veterans Affairs once the law takes effect.
Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.