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A 5627

Authorizes issuance of distinctive number plates to members of the Seneca Nation of Indians

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Sempolinski

Creates a new Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund funded from CBT revenues to acquire and steward urban lands for agricultural uses, starting FY2026.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · A 5627

Summary — A5627 (Introduced May 8, 2025)

Title: An Act concerning the acquisition and stewardship of lands in urban areas of the State for agricultural or horticultural purposes; amends various statutes and supplements P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.)

Main purpose

Create a new Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund and reallocate constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to provide a recurring funding stream for acquisition and stewardship of urban lands for agricultural or horticultural uses. The bill authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to acquire lands in urban areas for these purposes.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund (new statutory fund).
  • Beginning in State fiscal year 2026 and annually thereafter, directs how amounts credited to the Preserve New Jersey Fund Account (from constitutionally dedicated CBT moneys) are allocated:
    • 62% → Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund
    • 26% → Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund
    • 7% → Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
    • 5% → Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund (new)
  • Provides a one-time initial deposit: on the July 1 following the bill’s effective date, $25 million from the Preserve New Jersey Fund Account shall be deposited into the new Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund for the purposes specified in the bill.
  • Amends prior allocation language (P.L.2019, c.136) that applied through FY2025 (previously 62%/31%/7%) and retains the Garden State Preservation Trust review process:
    • The Trust must annually review appropriations and expenditures of constitutionally dedicated CBT moneys (DEP, State Agriculture Development Committee, New Jersey Historic Trust), hold a public hearing, and may recommend allocation changes to legislative committees.
    • Any change to the statutory allocations requires legislative authorization; the Trust’s recommendation alone does not change allocations.
  • Expands/clarifies definitions in P.L.2016 (C.13:8C-45) of “agricultural or horticultural purposes,” listing a broad set of plant and animal production activities that qualify.
  • Authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to acquire lands in urban areas for agricultural or horticultural use (program and acquisition details are provided in the bill’s supplemental sections).

Who is affected

  • State programs funded by constitutionally dedicated CBT moneys: Green Acres (DEP), Farmland Preservation (State Agriculture Development Committee), Historic Preservation (New Jersey Historic Trust), and the new Urban Agriculture/Horticulture program.
  • Garden State Preservation Trust (administration and review duties).
  • Local governments and eligible entities that may acquire or steward urban lands for agriculture/horticulture.
  • Urban communities, community gardens, urban farms, and related stakeholders (potential beneficiaries).
  • Taxpayers/state budget: reallocation of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues affects funding mix among preservation programs.

Fiscal and timeline highlights

  • Effective for State fiscal year 2026 and annually thereafter.
  • One-time $25 million transfer to the new fund on the first July 1 after the bill’s effective date (sourced from the Preserve New Jersey Fund Account).
  • Net effect: farmland preservation share reduced by 5 percentage points (31% → 26%) beginning FY2026 to create the 5% urban agriculture allocation.

Procedural status and sponsors

  • Introduced in the Assembly on May 8, 2025. Status: Referred to Transportation (per bill header) and noted as referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee in legislative actions.
  • Primary sponsors: Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter; Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson; additional listed co-sponsors include Carmen Morales, William Spearman, Shavonda Sumter, and Joseph Sempolinski.
  • Companion bill in the Senate: S4350.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Creates a dedicated funding stream and initial capital for urban agriculture and horticulture projects (community gardens, urban farms, horticultural stewardship).
  • May improve urban food access, local food production, and reuse of underutilized urban land.
  • Reallocates constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue away from farmland preservation (5% reduction) which could affect rural farmland programs unless offset by other funding.
  • Requires ongoing administrative implementation details (eligibility, acquisition procedures, stewardship standards) to be worked out in program rules and intergovernmental agreements.

Related prior-session bills are noted in the bill record; the Garden State Preservation Trust’s review and public hearing requirement remains part of the oversight framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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