Authorizes soil conservation districts to have more than five supervisors.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco and 2 co-sponsors

Allows soil conservation districts in NJ to have more than five supervisors, with the SSCC setting district-specific maximums.

Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading

Bill Summary: S 2064 (New Jersey, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose and intent

This bill amends the governing structure of soil conservation districts in New Jersey. It would authorize districts to have more than five supervisors, shifting the current framework in which each district is limited to five supervisors. The State Soil Conservation Committee would gain the authority to determine the maximum number of supervisors for each district. The immediate effect is to provide flexibility in district governance to accommodate varying local needs.

Key provisions and changes

The governing body of a soil conservation district would be allowed to consist of more than five supervisors.

The State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) would be empowered to set the maximum number of supervisors for each district, potentially differing by district rather than applying a uniform limit.

The five-supervisor baseline remains referenced in the statute, but the bill explicitly enables more than five when the SSCC determines it is appropriate.

All supervisors must be legal residents of the district.

The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

Soil conservation districts across New Jersey: districts could expand their governing bodies beyond five supervisors, subject to SSCC authorization.

The State Soil Conservation Committee: gains new regulatory authority to designate maximum supervisor counts for individual districts.

District residents: as supervisors must be residents of the district, governance would continue to be locally accountable, with potential changes in representation depending on the approved maximum.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, with sponsorship by Senators including Vince Polistina, Tony Bucco, and Raj Mukherji.

It progressed to a Senate committee report (2nd Reading) as of May 18, 2026, indicating movement toward potential floor consideration.

The act would take effect immediately upon enactment, allowing districts and the SSCC to implement changes without a waiting period.

Potential impact and considerations

Governance flexibility: districts could tailor the size of their governing bodies to local needs, potentially improving representation, workload distribution, and administrative capacity.

Administrative oversight: larger or smaller boards could affect decision-making efficiency, quorum dynamics, and stakeholder engagement.

Equity and accountability: maintaining residency requirements helps ensure local accountability, but methods for determining district-specific maximums would be set by the SSCC, which may lead to variation across districts.

Implementation: districts seeking to expand beyond five supervisors would rely on SSCC guidelines and approvals, influencing staffing, budgets, and governance processes.