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Bill

A 1517

Establishes NJ Native Seed Commission to develop plan to increase production and use of native seeds in State.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 3 co-sponsors

Creates the New Jersey Native Seed Commission to boost production and use of native seeds in state projects, ensuring affordable, reliable supply.

Passed by the Assembly (79-0-0)
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Bill Summary · A 1517

Overview

  • Bill: Assembly Bill No. 1517 (A-1517), 222nd Legislature, New Jersey
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Sponsor(s): Co-sponsors Lisa Swain, Clinton Calabrese, Chris Tully, Annette Quijano
  • Committee: Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources (amendments adopted)
  • Status: Passed by the Assembly (78-0-0) on June 30, 2026; reported out with amendments June 15, 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish the New Jersey Native Seed Commission within the Department of Agriculture.
  • Develop a comprehensive plan to: 1) Increase production of native seeds in New Jersey. 2) Increase use of native seeds in public land management, roadside landscaping, reforestation, habitat restoration, and other approved projects. 3) Ensure native seeds are commercially available in the state at reasonable cost and in adequate supply.

Key Provisions

  • Commission Establishment and Composition
    • Creates the New Jersey Native Seed Commission in the Department of Agriculture.
    • Members: 11 total.
    • Ex officio members: Secretary of Agriculture, Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and Commissioner of Transportation (or their designees).
    • Additional members: Stakeholders and experts, including two horticulture industry experts added by committee amendments (one appointed by the Senate President, one by the Speaker of the General Assembly).
  • Duties and Deliverables
    • Within one year after organization, the commission must prepare and submit a final plan to increase production and use of native seeds.
    • The final report must be submitted to the Governor and to the Legislature (per existing law governing communications to the Legislature).
    • The final report must cover:
    • Current and projected demand for native seeds by state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and private entities.
    • Current capacity of New Jersey growers, nurseries, and seed suppliers to meet demand.
    • Costs and benefits of using native seeds in public environmental projects (land management, rights-of-way, roadside landscaping, reforestation, habitat restoration, stormwater management).
    • Regulatory, logistical, technical, and market barriers to increasing production, availability, and use of native seeds.
    • Recommendations on funding mechanisms, procurement standards, market development, and other actions to boost availability and use.
    • Identification of at least three pilot project opportunities on lands owned or managed by state agencies or public entities (e.g., Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection).
  • Follow-up and Implementation
    • If the final report recommends regulatory or administrative action, the Department of Agriculture must, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation, submit a follow-up report within 180 days evaluating:
    • The commission’s recommendations.
    • Actions already taken by the state to increase native seed use.
    • Planned future actions to increase native seed use.
    • Both the final report and the follow-up report must be available to interested persons at a reasonable cost.
  • Sunset
    • The commission would expire 30 days after submission of its plan.

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Organization: Commission formed within the Department of Agriculture.
  • Final Plan: Required within 12 months of organization.
  • Follow-up Report: If regulatory actions are recommended, due within 180 days after the final report.
  • Public Availability: Reports available to the public at a reasonable cost.
  • Sunset: Commission expires 30 days after plan submission.

Impact and Beneficiaries

  • Statewide impact: Aims to expand production and use of native seeds across multiple sectors, potentially influencing:
    • State agencies and local governments’ procurement and landscaping choices.
    • Public works and environmental projects (reforestation, habitat restoration, stormwater management, rights-of-way maintenance).
    • Nurseries, seed suppliers, and growers through market development and procurement standards.
  • Costs and Benefits: The final report must assess costs and benefits of native seed use, including potential long-term environmental and economic gains.
  • Regulatory ACTIONS: If recommended, the state would consider rulemaking or administrative actions guided by the commission’s analysis.

Notes

  • Committee amendments added two horticulture-expert members to the commission.
  • The bill emphasizes making native seeds affordable and reliably available within New Jersey.

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

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