Bill Text: NJ A1272 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Extends "Right to Farm" protection to certain agricultural tourism acttivities and events; requires adoption of agricultural management practices therefor; permits special occasion events that promote agricultural tourism conducted at wineries under certain circumstances.*

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-27 - Substituted by S837 (1R) [A1272 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-A1272-Amended.html

---

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1272

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblywoman  CELESTE M. RILEY

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

Assemblywoman  ALISON LITTELL MCHOSE

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Extends "Right to Farm" protection to certain agricultural tourism activities and events; requires adoption of agricultural management practices therefor; permits special occasion events that promote agricultural tourism conducted at wineries under certain circumstances.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Budget Committee on March 24, 2014, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning ¹[special occasion events conducted on preserved farmland that promote]¹ agricultural tourism ¹activities and events, and amending¹ and supplementing ¹[Title 4 of the Revised Statutes] P.L.1983, c.31¹ .

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     ¹1.   (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that:

     a.    The promotion of agricultural tourism is in the best interest of the citizens of, and visitors to, the State, and affirms and supports the many cultural, economic, environmental, historical, and societal benefits provided by one of the largest and most essential industries in the Garden State;

     b.    The State needs to encourage the promotion of agricultural heritage, education, preservation, and production through a positive agricultural business climate that protects farmland, recognizes the correlation between farming and tourism and related events,  encourages people to explore the diversity of agricultural opportunities, and supports the marketing of agricultural tourism to bolster the agricultural economy in the Garden State;

     c.    At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that special occasion events and activities can also have significant negative impacts on communities, neighborhoods, and residents near special occasion events; and it is the intention of this act to balance the promotion of agricultural tourism and special occasion events with the protection of public health and safety and the integrity of local zoning, land use, and the State's farmland preservation activities;

     d.    Wineries serve an important role in diversifying the agricultural products and services offered by farms in the State, are uniquely suited to cultivating growth in the State's tourism industry, and invite residents and visitors alike to experience a myriad of offerings available in the Garden State year-round;

     e.    New Jersey farmers are innovating their way toward greater economic, environmental, and social sustainability, and their adaptability to changes, brought by technological innovations and marketplace dynamics, has enabled them to embrace the rich palette of agricultural tourism offerings and possibilities;

     f.     Establishing certain requirements for agricultural tourism and for special occasion events conducted on agricultural lands and at farms with wineries would provide a proper balance for those who work in the agriculture industry and those who appreciate the activities, events, and opportunities that farms and wineries uniquely offer, while protecting and sustaining the agricultural output of the farm and maintaining the integrity and credibility of the "Right to Farm Act"� and other farmland protections, including those for farmland that has been preserved with funds supported by the taxpayers of the State  as well as the rights of neighboring properties and communities to protect their quiet enjoyment from special occasion events;

     g.    Establishing a framework by which a winery can demonstrate it functions as a farm first and foremost, and limiting cumbersome bureaucratic red tape that would hinder a winery's ability to provide agricultural tourism activities and events, will create a balance that best allows a winery to appeal to visitors as a farm while synchronizing its agricultural business practices with the high expectations and standards of all farms operating in the State; and

     h.    It is therefore the intent of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to establish as the policy of the State the encouragement of, and support for, agricultural tourism activities, events, and opportunities and special occasion events that: (1) offer and promote agricultural heritage, education, and appreciation and diversify and grow agricultural output, (2) complement the preservation, protection, and retention of agricultural lands and primary agricultural uses of farms and wineries, and (3) protect the integrity and character of the local existing places.¹

 

     ¹2.   (New section) As used in P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):

     "Agricultural tourism" means affordable, recreational, and educational activities, events, and opportunities to learn about the production of food, agricultural and horticultural products, and the State's farming heritage while helping to encourage the preservation and retention of agricultural lands.  "Agricultural tourism" may include, but need not be limited to, activities, events, and opportunities such as agricultural fairs, corn mazes, farm festivals, hayrides, horseback riding, petting zoos, school tours, special occasion events, and winery tours.

     "Special occasion event" means a wedding, lifetime milestone event, or other cultural or social event as defined by the appropriate county agriculture development board, and conducted pursuant to the requirements set forth in subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     "Winery" means a commercial farm where the owner or operator of the commercial farm has been issued and is operating in compliance with a plenary winery license or farm winery license pursuant to R.S.33:1-10.¹

     ¹[1.] 3.  (New section)¹    a.   ¹[Notwithstanding any other law, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, a] A¹ special occasion event may be conducted ¹[on preserved farmland] at a winery, pursuant to subsection h. of section 6 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-9),¹ provided that:

     (1)  the ¹gross¹ income generated ¹by the winery¹ from all special occasion events conducted for the calendar year together account for less than ¹[50%] 50 percent¹ of the annual gross income of the ¹[preserved farmland] winery, or less than 50 percent of the average of the annual gross income of the winery over the preceding three-year period¹ ;

     (2)  the special occasion event ¹[conducted on the preserved farmland advances] uses the agricultural output of the winery, to the maximum extent practicable, to promote agricultural tourism and advance¹ the agricultural or horticultural output of the ¹[preserved farm and promotes agricultural tourism; and] winery;¹

     (3)  the special occasion event is conducted on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or federal or State holiday, except that a special occasion event may be conducted on any other day of the week with the approval of the State Agriculture Development Committee.  The committee may delegate its authority in that regard to a county agriculture development board ¹;

     (4)  the special occasion event is conducted in: (a) a temporary structure, such as an enclosed or open canopy or tent or other portable structure or facility, and any temporary structure would be put in place for only the minimum amount of time reasonably necessary to accommodate the special occasion event; (b) an existing permanent agricultural building; (c) a farm or open air pavilion; or (d) another structure used in the normal course of winery operations and activities;

     (5)  the special occasion event complies with applicable municipal ordinances, resolutions, or regulations concerning litter, solid waste, and traffic and the protection of public health and safety;

     (6)  the winery shall be subject to a site plan review and any applicable development approvals as may be required under an ordinance adopted pursuant to the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.);

     (7)  the special occasion event is subject to the noise standards set forth pursuant to the "Noise Control Act," P.L.1971, c.418 (C.13:1G-1 et seq.), and the rules and regulations adopted thereto;

     (8)  the special occasion event complies with any applicable municipal ordinance that restricts performing or playing music to inside the winery's buildings and structures;

     (9)  the special occasion event ends at a specific time, if required pursuant to a curfew established by a municipal ordinance;

     (10) the special occasion event would not knowingly result in a significant and direct negative impact to any property adjacent to the winery; and

     (11) the winery hosting a special occasion event enforces State and federal requirements concerning the legal drinking age¹ .

     b.    ¹[Each county agriculture development board, as part of its annual inspections of preserved farms, shall monitor and confirm compliance with the provisions of this act.

     c.    An owner or operator of preserved farmland engaged in conducting special occasion events shall annually certify to the county agriculture development board that the special occasion events together account for less than 50% of the annual gross income of the preserved farmland during each calendar year.  A county agriculture development board shall forward the certification of annual gross income to the State Agriculture Development Committee.

     d.    An owner or operator of preserved farmland who violates subsection c. of this section, or who submits false information or a false certification pursuant to subsection c. of this section, shall be liable to a civil penalty of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offense, to be collected in a civil action commenced by the State Agriculture Development Committee.

     Any penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection may be collected, with costs, in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).  The Superior Court and the municipal court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" in connection with this act.

     e.    As used in this section:

     "Agricultural tourism" means affordable, recreational, and educational activities, events and opportunities to learn about the production of food, agricultural and horticultural products and the State's farming heritage while helping to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands.  "Agricultural tourism" may include, but need not be limited to, activities, events and opportunities such as agricultural fairs, corn mazes, farm festivals, farm markets, hayrides, horseback riding, pick-your-own operations, school tours, special occasion events, and winery tours.

     "Preserved farmland" means land on which a development easement was conveyed to, or retained by, the State Agriculture Development Committee, a county agriculture development board, a county, a municipality, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization pursuant to the provisions of section 24 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-31), section 5 of P.L.1988, c.4 (C.4:1C-31.1), section 1 of P.L.1989, c.28 (C.4:1C-38), section 1 of P.L.1999, c.180 (C.4:1C-43.1), sections 37 through 40 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37 through C.13:8C-40), or any other State law enacted for farmland preservation purposes.

     "Special occasion event" means a wedding, other lifetime milestone event, or other special event, as determined by a county agriculture development board, held on a date allowed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection a. of this section, and which advances the agricultural or horticultural output of the preserved farm and promotes agricultural tourism] In determining the annual gross income of a winery pursuant to this section, the gross income received from any special occasion event shall include, but need not be limited to, admission fees; rental fees; setup, breakdown, and cleaning fees; and all other revenue that is not directly related to the agricultural output of the winery but is received by the winery in conjunction with conducting a special occasion event¹ .

 

      ¹4.   (New section)  a.  (1)  A county agriculture development board or the State Agriculture Development Committee may order, for cause, and specify the scope of, an audit of the owner or operator of any winery engaged in conducting special occasion events, for the purpose of determining compliance with section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  The audit shall be conducted by an independent certified public accountant approved by the board or the committee, and the reasonable costs thereof shall be paid by the owner or operator of the winery.  A county agriculture development board, or the committee, may establish a list of independent certified public accountants approved for the purposes of conducting an audit pursuant to this paragraph.  Copies of the audit shall be submitted to the board and the committee.

     (2)  An owner or operator of a winery engaged in conducting special occasion events shall not be subject to an audit authorized pursuant to this section more than once during a three-year period without good cause demonstrated by the applicable board or the committee.

     b.    An owner or operator of a winery engaged in conducting special occasion events shall annually certify to the county agriculture development board that the special occasion events together account for less than 50 percent of the annual gross income of the winery during the prior calendar year, or less than 50 percent of the average annual gross income of the winery over the preceding three-year period, pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  The board shall forward the certification of annual gross income to the committee.

     c.    In conjunction with an audit ordered pursuant to subsection a. of this section, a board or the committee may request, and the winery shall then submit, additional documentation as may be necessary for the board or committee to verify compliance with paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).¹

 

      ¹5.   (New section)  a.  An owner or operator of a winery who violates P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be liable to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for the first offense, up to $2,000 for the second offense, or up to $3,000 for a subsequent offense, to be collected in a civil action commenced by the State Agriculture Development Committee.

     b.    In addition to the penalties established pursuant to subsection a. of this section:

     (1)  for a second offense, the committee shall, after a hearing, suspend the owner or operator of a winery from conducting special occasion events for a period of up to six months;

     (2)  for a third offense, the committee shall, after a hearing, suspend the owner or operator of a winery from conducting special occasion events for a period of at least six months but not more than one year; and

     (3)  for a fourth or subsequent offense, the committee shall, after a hearing, suspend the owner or operator of a winery from conducting special occasion events for a period of at least one year but not more than two years.

     c.    Any penalty imposed pursuant to this section may be collected, with costs, in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).  The Superior Court and the municipal court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" in connection with P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).¹

 

     ¹6.   Section 6 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-9) is amended to read as follows:

     6.    Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal or county ordinance, resolution, or regulation to the contrary, the owner or operator of a commercial farm, located in an area in which, as of December 31, 1997 or thereafter, agriculture is a permitted use under the municipal zoning ordinance and is consistent with the municipal master plan, or which commercial farm is in operation as of the effective date of P.L.1998, c.48 (C.4:1C-10.1 et al.), and the operation of which conforms to agricultural management practices recommended by the committee and adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), or whose specific operation or practice has been determined by the appropriate county board, or in a county where no county board exists, the committee, to constitute a generally accepted agricultural operation or practice, and all relevant federal or State statutes or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and which does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety may:

     a.    Produce agricultural and horticultural crops, trees and forest products, livestock, and poultry and other commodities as described in the Standard Industrial Classification for agriculture, forestry, fishing, and trapping or, after the operative date of the regulations adopted pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.4:1C-9.1), included under the corresponding classification under the North American Industry Classification System;

     b.    Process and package the agricultural output of the commercial farm;

     c.    Provide for the operation of a farm market, including the construction of building and parking areas in conformance with municipal standards;

     d.    Replenish soil nutrients and improve soil tilth;

     e.    Control pests, predators, and diseases of plants and animals;

     f.     Clear woodlands using open burning and other techniques, install and maintain vegetative and terrain alterations and other physical facilities for water and soil conservation and surface water control in wetland areas;

     g.    Conduct on-site disposal of organic agricultural wastes;

     h.    [Conduct] Except as provided pursuant to paragraph (6) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.   , c.   (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), conduct agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities, including agricultural tourism activities and events, provided that the activities and events are related to marketing and advancing the agricultural or horticultural output of the commercial farm;

     i.     Engage in the generation of power or heat from biomass, solar, or wind energy, provided that the energy generation is consistent with the provisions of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4 et al.), as applicable, and the rules and regulations adopted therefor and pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-9.2); and

     j.     Engage in any other agricultural activity as determined by the State Agriculture Development Committee and adopted by rule or regulation pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).¹

(cf:  P.L.2009, c.213, s.2)

 

     ¹7.   (New section)  a.  The committee shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     b.    Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, within two years after the date of enactment of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the  committee shall adopt immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law agricultural management practices for agricultural tourism activities and events on commercial farms, which shall be effective for a period not to exceed two years following the date of enactment of P.L.    , c.    (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and shall thereafter be amended, adopted, or readopted by the committee in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).  During the two year period after the date of enactment of P.L.    , c.    (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and prior to the filing and adoption of the agricultural management practices pursuant to this subsection, a commercial farm shall be permitted to continue planning and conducting agricultural tourism activities and events.

     c.    For the purposes of this section and subsection h. of section 6 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-9), an agricultural tourism event includes a "special occasion event" as defined pursuant to section 2 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). ¹

 

     ¹[2.] 8.¹     This act shall take effect immediately.