Bill Text: NJ A5138 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department of Agriculture.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-28 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [A5138 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-A5138-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department of Agriculture.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning protective cropping and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Board" means the "Protective Cropping Board" established pursuant to section 2 of this act.
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture.
"Protective cropping" means the modification of growing conditions for crops. "Protective cropping" includes, but is not limited to, vertical farming and the practice of growing crops within, under, or sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of protecting the crops from pests, disease, or adverse weather.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.
"Vertical farming" means the practice of growing crops within an artificial structure, in horizontally and vertically stacked layers, using artificial growing systems including, but not limited to, hydroponics or aquaponics.
2. a. (1) There is established in the Department of Agriculture the "Protective Cropping Board."
(2) The board shall consist of five members, appointed by the secretary. Members of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary.
(3) Members of the board shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this act.
(4) The department shall provide primary staff support to the commission.
b. The duties of the board shall be to:
(1) research and investigate the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State;
(2) develop and recommend to the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State; and
(3) conduct such other activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines necessary.
c. The secretary shall ensure that the department executes the recommendations of the board.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the "Protective Cropping Board" in the Department of Agriculture. The bill defines "protective cropping" to mean the modification of growing conditions for crops. Under the bill, "protective cropping" includes, but is not limited to, the practice of vertical farming as well as growing crops within, under, or sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of protecting the crops from pests, disease, or adverse weather.
There are a number of benefits to the practice of protective cropping, including:
(1) year-round production--by controlling temperature and light, growers can produce fruits, vegetables, and flowers regardless of the natural season;
(2) climate resilience--structures protect crops from extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, frost, and harsh winds, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change;
(3) enhanced yield and quality--controlled environments often lead to higher productivity per unit of area and more consistent produce quality in terms of size, firmness, and flavor;
(4) reduced chemical use--enclosed environments act as a physical barrier against pests and diseases, minimizing the need for chemical pesticides;
(5) resource efficiency--these systems often utilize advanced irrigation and "quad-generation" (simultaneous production of heat, cooling, electricity, and captured carbon dioxide) to maximize energy and water efficiency; and
(6) disease-free transplants--the controlled setting is ideal for producing healthy, uniform, and disease-free plant material for further cultivation.
The bill stipulates that the board is to consist of five members, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Secretary of Agriculture.
The board is required to:
(1) research and investigate the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State;
(2) develop and recommend to the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State; and
(3) conduct such other activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines necessary.
