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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A535 Allows Local Units to Provide Multiple Length of Service Awards for Volunteers Serving More Than One Emergency Organization
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government CommitteeSponsor: Auth, Robert
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What This Bill Would Do
Local government units and fire districts in New Jersey are authorized to provide a separate length of service award (LOSAP) contribution for each emergency service organization in which an active volunteer performs qualifying service. The measure permits maximum annual contributions of up to $1,150 per year of active service in each distinct organization, with a minimum contribution of $100 per year.
Active volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel who serve in multiple organizations within the same municipality become eligible to receive separate annual financial contributions for each role, altering local budgeting and recruitment incentives for emergency services.
- New Jersey enacted the Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program Act (P.L.1997, c.388) to help municipalities and fire districts recruit and retain volunteer emergency personnel by authorizing tax-deferred income benefits. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
active volunteer members
Active volunteers serving in multiple emergency service organizations become eligible to receive separate length of service award contributions for each organization.
local government units
Counties, municipalities, and fire districts are granted the authority to adopt ordinances or resolutions providing multiple service awards and must budget appropriations accordingly.
emergency service organizations
Participating organizations must review prior membership rosters, provide certifications for past service, and participate in appeals processes.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in a length of service award program?
Can award contributions be increased over time without a public vote?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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