New Jersey Assembly Bill A5201

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 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.