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Bill

A 4378

Establishes farmland assessment certification for tax assessors, online portal system for farmland assessment applications, and hotline for reporting farmland assessment fraud; increases on-site inspections for farmland under 10 acres in area and rollback tax.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Sauickie

New Jersey bill establishes farmland assessment certifications, online portal, and fraud hotline while increasing inspections on small farms to improve accuracy and prevent tax evasion.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4378

Legislative bill overview

A.4378 establishes a certification program for tax assessors specializing in farmland valuation and creates an online portal and hotline system for farmland assessment applications and fraud reporting in New Jersey. The bill also mandates increased on-site inspections for smaller farmland parcels (under 10 acres) and addresses rollback tax procedures.

Why is this important

Farmland assessment is critical because improper valuations can result in either unfair tax burdens on farmers or lost municipal revenue. The bill aims to professionalize the assessment process and catch fraud, while the focus on smaller farms recognizes that smaller parcels may be undervalued or subject to speculative development pressure that makes accurate assessment particularly important.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost of implementation: Establishing a certification program, online portal, hotline, and increased inspections requires staffing and funding—the bill doesn't specify who bears these costs or how they're funded
  • Burden on small farms: Increased on-site inspections specifically targeting farms under 10 acres could place disproportionate compliance burdens on small agricultural operations
  • Rollback tax clarity: The bill mentions rollback taxes but provides limited detail on how these calculations work or what appeals process exists, potentially creating uncertainty for landowners

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

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