Enacts Josh's law, requires training plans be approved prior to implementation in modified and high school football

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dean Murray

New Jersey bans eminent-domain seizure of farmland actively used for agricultural production when the use is non-agricultural, protecting farms and food security.

REFERRED TO HEALTH

Summary of Senate Bill S 4682

Note: The bill’s title in the provided information references “Josh's law” and training plans for football, but the version text and statement describe a different subject—restricting eminent domain condemnation of farmland. This summary reflects the introduced content as written in the Version Content.

Purpose and intent

The bill amends New Jersey’s eminent domain framework (P.L.1971, c.361) to protect farmland that actively supports agricultural or horticultural production.

It would prevent condemnation of such farmland when the condemnor intends to develop the property for a purpose other than agricultural or horticultural production.

The stated goal is to support farmland preservation and food security by narrowing the use of eminent domain for non-agricultural development.

Key provisions

Section 6 amendments to P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-6):

a. Retains the existing condemnation process, including negotiation requirements, appraisals, written offers, and timelines, for acquiring property by eminent domain.
b. Introduces a prohibition: after the act’s effective date, a condemnor shall not condemn farmland that is actively supporting agricultural or horticultural production if the condemnor’s intended use is for a purpose other than agricultural or horticultural production.

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

What changes the bill would make

Expands protections for farmland by adding a substantive prohibition on using eminent domain to seize farmland for non-agricultural development.

Maintains existing negotiation and appraisal procedures for condemnations not involving the prohibited farmland.

Clarifies that farmland preservation is a public policy objective within the eminent domain framework.

Who is affected

Public condemning authorities and agencies that might seek to acquire private farmland under the power of eminent domain.

Private landowners and landowners’ associations whose properties are actively used for agricultural or horticultural production.

Courts and government bodies involved in eminent domain proceedings, as they would interpret the new prohibition.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: June 30, 2025.

Current status: Referred to Health Committee (as provided).

Legislative actions listed alongside other entries include references to prior referrals and companion/co-sponsor information:

Primary sponsor: Dean Murray.
Related bills: A5884 (companion); S9463 (prior-session).

The bill would apply immediately upon enactment, with no delayed effective date.

Notable context

The accompanying statement emphasizes New Jersey’s goal of preserving 500,000 acres of farmland and frames eminent domain as appropriate for public infrastructure but not for private development when not agricultural.

If enacted, this bill would likely affect planned public projects that require land use changes on active farmland and could prompt adjustments to project planning and compensation discussions.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the companion A5884 or provide a short jurisdictional note on how similar protections have been treated in other states.