New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S2592

Introduced
2/8/24  

Caption

Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

Impact

The legislation is expected to improve the operational functionality of CADBs in New Jersey's agricultural landscape. With the recent struggles of CADBs to gather enough voting members to make decisions due to potential conflicts of interest, this bill directly addresses those issues. By allowing alternate members to step in as needed, the bill could prevent gridlocks that would otherwise hinder local agriculture development initiatives. Furthermore, it promotes inclusivity in representation by ensuring that both agricultural and public interests are voiced through the alternate members.

Summary

Senate Bill S2592 aims to amend the Agriculture Retention and Development Act by establishing alternate voting members on County Agriculture Development Boards (CADBs) in New Jersey. The bill proposes that each CADB include two alternate members—one representing the general public and one actively engaged in farming. These alternates would serve a four-year term and are entitled to vote in place of a regular member if that member is absent or disqualified. This change seeks to facilitate effective decision-making by enabling CADBs to reach quorum and proceed with their necessary duties without delay.

Contention

While the bill is designed to enhance the efficacy of county agriculture boards, it may also bring to light concerns regarding the balance of representation between agricultural stakeholders and the general public. Some advocates may fear that the alterations to board composition could lead to a concentration of power among those who are actively farming, thus overshadowing public interests in agricultural decisions. These concerns will likely spark further discussions about the need for equitable representation on such boards and the potential implications it might have on local agriculture policies.

Companion Bills

NJ A3231

Same As Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

NJ A4702

Carry Over Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

NJ S3130

Carry Over Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3130

Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

NJ A4702

Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

NJ A3231

Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.

NJ S3246

Allows Right to Farm Act complaints to be filed with county agriculture development board in adjacent county under certain circumstances and creates alternate voting members on such boards.

NJ S3126

Allows Right to Farm Act complaints to be filed with county agriculture development board in adjacent county under certain circumstances and creates alternate voting members on such boards.

NJ A4766

Allows Right to Farm Act complaints to be filed with county agriculture development board in adjacent county under certain circumstances and creates alternate voting members on such boards.

NJ A4767

Exempts members of State Board of Agriculture and county boards of agriculture from personal liability and allows such boards to hire outside counsel and consultants.

NJ A2318

Clarifies voting ability of members of State Agriculture Development Committee.

NJ A4034

"State Board of Agriculture and State Agriculture Development Committee Transparency Act."

NJ SB890

Agricultural commodity boards; Agricultural Council, appointment and membership terms.

Similar Bills

HI HB498

Relating To Agricultural Crimes.

HI HB776

Relating To Agricultural Support.

HI SB1184

Relating To Agricultural Support.

HI SB762

Relating To Agricultural Crimes.

HI SB504

Relating To Agriculture.

CA SB453

California State University Agricultural Research Institute grant program: Agricultural Biosecurity Fund.

HI SB763

Relating To The Department Of Law Enforcement.

HI HB501

Relating To The Department Of Law Enforcement.