NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A5201

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A5201

Introduced
2/16/23  

Caption

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to identify farmland ineligible for county farmland preservation programs, notify owners of State requirements, and invite applications for farmland preservation under State program.

Impact

A5201 mandates the SADC to conduct a survey of farms across counties within two years of the bill's enactment. Upon identifying eligible farms, the SADC must notify the respective landowners of the criteria for farmland preservation under state programs and encourage them to apply for preservation opportunities. This action is particularly significant as it aims to balance smaller farm owners' needs with the overall goal of enhancing agricultural land preservation in New Jersey, thus potentially increasing the number of supported farms under state initiatives.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5201 directs the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) to identify farms that are eligible for differential property taxation but fail to meet the minimum acreage requirement for local farmland preservation programs. This initiative seeks to assist smaller farmers who wish to preserve their land, acknowledging that they may be excluded from local programs due to size constraints. The bill emphasizes the state's commitment to farmland preservation while accommodating the diverse needs of various farm sizes within New Jersey's agricultural community.

Contention

The bill's primary contention lies in addressing the discrepancy between local and state farmland preservation criteria. Many county programs have set minimum acreage requirements that can exclude smaller farms from receiving assistance. Critics may argue that this bill could inadvertently increase the financial burden on the SADC by expanding eligibility, thus raising concerns about the funding and resource allocation for preservation programs. However, supporters assert that this measure is essential for promoting agricultural diversity and sustainability across New Jersey.

Latest A5201 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NJ A1225

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to identify farmland ineligible for county farmland preservation programs, notify owners of State requirements, and invite applications for farmland preservation under State program.

NJ S4531

Appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other farmland preservation funds to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ A3012

Establishes farmland preservation inheritance tax deduction program within Department of Agriculture.

NJ A5234

Authorizes State Agriculture Development Committee to maintain and use its own list of property appraisers, or to employ dedicated pool of property appraisers, or both, to facilitate valuation of land for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ A4036

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to provide financial and performance information regarding Farmland Preservation Program.

NJ A5403

Authorizes State Agriculture Development Committee to develop and maintain region-specific list or dedicated pool, or both, of tax and estate planners to facilitate development of installment purchase agreements for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ S2792

Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ S4178

Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ A3697

Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ S3446

Establishes Farmland Assessment Review Commission to annually review and recommend changes to farmland assessment program, as necessary to ensure fair, equitable, and uniform Statewide application and enforcement of program requirements and allocation of program benefits.

Similar Bills

NJ A1225

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to identify farmland ineligible for county farmland preservation programs, notify owners of State requirements, and invite applications for farmland preservation under State program.

NJ A4041

Establishes program for acquisition, by local government units and nonprofit organizations, of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

NJ S699

Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

NJ A682

Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

NJ A2772

Authorizes special occasion events at certain commercial farms on preserved farmland, under certain conditions; appropriates $85,000.

NJ A5234

Authorizes State Agriculture Development Committee to maintain and use its own list of property appraisers, or to employ dedicated pool of property appraisers, or both, to facilitate valuation of land for farmland preservation purposes.

NJ A4502

Authorizes State, local, and nonprofit acquisition of fee simple titles to, and development easements on, farmland, in certain cases, for negotiated purchase prices exceeding appraised value thereof.

NJ A5010

Requires SADC and any local board acquiring farmland for preservation purposes to provide partial payment to landowner, in advance of settlement, to demonstrate good faith intent to proceed with settlement and acquisition.