Bill Text: NJ AJR51 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week."

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-01-09 - Approved P.L.2014, JR-5. [AJR51 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-AJR51-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 51

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 6, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblyman  BOB ANDRZEJCZAK

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on June 12, 2014, with amendments.

  

A Joint Resolution designating one week each year as "Pollinator Week."

 

Whereas, Pollinator species, such as birds, bees, bats, and butterflies, are essential partners of farmers in producing much of ¹[our] the¹ food supply throughout the ¹[country] United States¹ and here in the Garden State; and

Whereas, The success of many of New Jersey's most popular and economically important crops, such as blueberries, apples, cranberries, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, are dependent upon pollinators; and

Whereas, The maintenance of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems depends upon the significant environmental benefits provided by pollinator species; and

Whereas, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of ¹[our] the¹ State and national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources, and recreational and economic development opportunities for communities; and

Whereas, New Jersey's State ¹[Insect] Bug¹, the domesticated honey bee ¹[, Apis mellifera] (Apis mellifera)¹ , is a key contributor to pollination in the State; and

Whereas, Through the cooperative efforts of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, and Rutgers, the State University, 2,000 new beekeepers have been trained since 2006, helping to cultivate one of ¹[our] the¹ State's important pollinator species; and

Whereas, The benefits that native pollinator species provide to New Jersey, whether agricultural, environmental, recreational, or economic, have been documented through extensive research at Rutgers, the State University, and other institutions of higher learning; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to demonstrate its support for the cultivation of pollinators so that these remarkable contributors to ¹[our] the¹ State may continue to flourish and provide ¹[us] New Jersey¹ with abounding benefits; now, therefore,

 

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

 

     1.    a.  One week each year shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" which shall fall on the dates designated in the annual proclamation of "National Pollinator Week" by the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, except that if the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, fails to make such a proclamation  ¹by May 31st in any given year,¹ then ¹, in that year,¹ the week beginning on the third Monday in June shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" in this State.

     b.    The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     2.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.