Appropriates $10,000,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Nilsa Cruz-Perez and 1 co-sponsor

A one-time $10 million appropriation from CBT revenues is provided to SADC to fund municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation.

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

Bill Summary: S 4426 (New Jersey, 222nd Session)

Purpose and intent

The bill appropriates funds from constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax (CBT) revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC).

The primary aim is to support municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes, aiding municipalities in planning and implementing farmland preservation initiatives.

Key provisions and changes

Funding source: $10,000,000 to be drawn from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues.

Recipient agency: State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) receives the appropriation to administer the program.

Program objective: Provide municipal planning incentive grants intended to facilitate farmland preservation, likely by supporting planning activities, program design, acquisition planning, or related preservation efforts within municipalities.

Total amount: A one-time appropriation of $10 million.

Eligibility and distribution (not specified in provided text): Details such as eligible municipalities, grant amounts, matching requirements, approval process, and reporting would typically be established in accompanying implementing language or regulations; these specifics are not included in the summary text provided.

Who is affected

Municipal governments: Stand to benefit from additional funding to plan and implement farmland preservation initiatives.

State agencies: SADC would administer the grant program and manage funding, reporting, and oversight.

Property and farmland stakeholders: Potential beneficiaries indirectly through enhanced preservation efforts, which can affect land use, agriculture viability, and open-space planning.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: June 4, 2026.

Referral: Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Sponsors: Nilsa Cruz-Perez (co-sponsor) and Owen Henry (co-sponsor).

The summary does not include final passage timelines or House counterpart actions; procedural steps would follow standard legislative process (committee consideration, potential amendments, floor vote, and cross-chamber action) with implementation contingent on eventual enactment and any regulatory rules.

Observations and considerations

The bill explicitly ties a significant one-time funding stream to farmland preservation planning, signaling a focus on strategic, long-range preservation planning at the municipal level.

Details on grant administration, oversight, performance metrics, and long-term funding sustainability are not provided in the summary and would be critical for understanding impact and accountability once the bill moves forward.

Given the CBT revenue source, the bill may require consideration of the constitutionally dedicated nature of funds and any statutory constraints on intergovernmental grants.

If you’d like, I can draft a section-by-section outline or extract potential questions for committee testimony (e.g., eligibility criteria, grant maximums, allowed uses, reporting requirements).