Bill Text: NJ A3283 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Implements reporting requirements for agricultural tourism pilot program; creates task force.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-06-16 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [A3283 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-A3283-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3283

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 22, 2016

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Implements reporting requirements for agricultural tourism pilot program; creates task force.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on June 6, 2016, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning agricultural tourism, and supplementing and amending P.L.2014, c.16.

 

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

 

     1.    (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.    The American wine industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and prosperity, with vineyards and wineries now in all 50 states, and in spite of the economic downturn in recent years, the market has continued to grow;

     d.    Amid this growth market, New Jersey wineries have increasingly gained national recognition for their quality, sophistication, and enjoyment, with critics noting that the State's enviable coastal location and warm summers create the perfect conditions for the cultivation of extraordinary wines;

     e.    As a testament to the competitiveness of the New Jersey wine industry, New Jersey wines won three out of the top four spots in the white wine category, and ranked third highest among the reds, in a blind tasting test held at Princeton University in 2012, with judges representing vineyard owners, international wine critics and journalists from the United States and abroad;

     f.     Viticulture in this State serves a vital role in diversifying the agricultural products and services offered by farms in New Jersey and wineries are uniquely suited to cultivating growth in the State's tourism industry by inviting residents and visitors alike to experience a myriad of offerings available in the Garden State year-round;

     g.    Serving as host to special occasion events is a unique marketing tool which assists vintners in drawing members of the public to their wineries to enjoy the agricultural output of the farms, and to experience tourism in some of New Jersey's most rural and beautifully scenic locations;

     h.    As New Jersey's wine production continues to flourish, and the critical reception of New Jersey wines grows ever more positive, the State is poised to emerge as a destination for wine-related tourism and cultural and personal events; and

     i.     It is therefore the intent of P.L.       , c.      (C.          ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to ensure that the agritourism pilot program established pursuant to P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.) contains the reporting elements necessary for the Governor and the Legislature to make informed decisions prior to the expiration of the pilot program to best advance the output and marketability of New Jersey wineries and to ensure the State's wine industry continues to grow and to command an increasing share of the national and global market.

 

      2.   Section 5 of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.11) is amended to read as follows:

      5.    a.    The committee shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.).

      b.   The committee may adopt, as may be necessary and appropriate, agricultural management practices for the implementation of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.).

      c.   (1)  Each county agriculture development board shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature an annual report, within 30 days after each ¹[12 month] 12-month¹ period of the pilot program.  Each annual report shall include findings that summarize the activities of wineries on preserved farmland in the county of the board's jurisdiction and make recommendations for the program.

      (2) The Agricultural Tourism ¹Pilot Program¹ Task Force established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.        , c.        (C.          ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature ¹:

      (a)¹  an interim report, within ¹[30 days following the 22nd month after the date of enactment of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.), and a final report, within 30 days following the 44th month after the date of enactment of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.).] 60 days after the date of the initial meeting of the task force pursuant to subsection d. of section 3 of P.L.      , c.      (C.         ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and

      (b) a final report, no later than January 15, 2018.

      (3)¹  The interim and final reports concerning the pilot program implemented pursuant to P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.) shall include the findings and recommendations of the annual reports prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature to amend, extend, or make permanent the program.

(cf:  P.L.2014, c.16, s.5)

 

      3.   (New section)  a.  There is established a task force, to be known as the Agricultural Tourism Pilot Program Task Force. 

      b.   The task force shall be comprised of 10 members as follows:

      (1) the Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, or the director's designee, who shall serve ex-officio;

      (2) a representative of the State Board of Agriculture;

      (3) a representative of the State Agriculture Development Committee;

      (4) a representative of the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 3 of P.L1985, c.233 (C.4:10-77);

      (5) three representatives, one each from a northern, central, and southern county agricultural development board wherein at least one winery in the county hosts special occasion events, and who shall be appointed by the Governor;

      (6) a representative of the New Jersey Farm Bureau;

      (7) a representative of the New Jersey League of Municipalities; and

      (8) a member of the public who owns a winery that hosts special occasion events or who otherwise has substantial and relevant experience in agricultural tourism events at wineries in New Jersey, who shall be appointed by the Governor.

      c.   Any vacancy in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

      d.   The ¹entities whose representatives are not appointed by the Governor shall select their representatives to the task force no later than 45 days after the effective date of P.L.       , c.       (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and the¹ task force shall meet ¹[within] no later than¹ 30 days ¹[of] after¹ the ¹[appointment] selection¹ of ¹a majority of¹ its members ¹[,]. The task force¹ shall select a chairperson from among its members, and shall select a secretary, who need not be a member of the task force, and thereafter shall meet at the call of the chairperson.

      e.   The members of the task ¹force¹ shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the council for its purposes.

      f.    The task force shall be entitled to the assistance and service of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission or agency, as may be available to it for these purposes, and to incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary for the proper execution of its duties, within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for these purposes.

      g.   It shall be the duty of the task force to monitor, report its findings, and make recommendations concerning the operation of the pilot program established by section 2 of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.8) in compliance with paragraph (2) of subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.11).

 

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.