Bill Text: NJ A323 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits special occasion events that promote agricultural tourism to be conducted on preserved farmland under certain circumstances. *
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-11-14 - Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading [A323 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A323-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 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)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Milam
SYNOPSIS
Permits agricultural tourism events to be conducted on preserved farmland.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning agricultural tourism on preserved farmland and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any other law, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, agricultural tourism activities and events may be conducted on preserved farmland provided that the preserved farmland is part of a functioning farm operation engaged in agricultural or horticultural production.
b. 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. 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 hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm markets, school tours, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, weddings, winery tours and horseback riding.
"Preserved farmland" means land on which a development easement was conveyed to, or retained by, the committee, a board, 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.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The bill permits agricultural tourism events to be conducted on preserved farmland provided that the preserved farmland is part of a functioning farm operation engaged in agricultural or horticultural production. The bill also provides that each county agriculture development board, as part of its annual inspections of preserved farms, shall monitor and confirm compliance with the provisions of this bill.
The bill defines "agricultural tourism" as 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. The bill includes in this definition activities, events and opportunities such as hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm markets, school tours, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, weddings, winery tours and horseback riding.
