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A 6031

Establishes the biometric privacy act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Blankenbush and 17 co-sponsors

Expands NJ farmland assessment to allow 5+ acres across noncontiguous parcels owned by one person to qualify if at least 3 acres are contiguous and other rules are met.

REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
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Bill Summary · A 6031

Summary of Bill A 6031 (New Jersey)

Note: The introduced content of A 6031 pertains to farmland property tax assessment (not biometric privacy), and would modify eligibility rules for farmland assessment under the state’s agricultural/horticultural land valuation program.

Overview

  • Purpose: Expand eligibility for farmland (agricultural/horticultural) assessment by allowing a combination of contiguous and noncontiguous parcels owned by a single person, under certain conditions. The bill aims to ease farmland assessment access and address development pressures and rising property costs.
  • Status: Introduced November 17, 2025; referred to the Consumer Affairs and Protection committee.
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey (P.L.1964, c.48 context; farmland assessment program in N.J. statutes).

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Contiguity Rule Relaxed

    • Current law generally requires a minimum of five contiguous acres actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use.
    • A 6031 would allow five or more noncontiguous acres (actively used for agriculture/horticulture for at least the two preceding years) to qualify for farmland assessment, provided:
    • At least three of the acres are contiguous.
    • The noncontiguous acres are under the ownership of the same person.
    • All other requirements of P.L.1964, c.48 are met.

  • Valuation Eligibility

    • Noncontiguous acres may be valued as agricultural land for tax purposes if they meet all the requirements of the statute’s section describing eligibility (including the contiguous requirement noted above).

  • Filing and Administrative Requirements

    • Application deadline remains: on or before August 1 of the year preceding the tax year, filed with the local assessor.
    • The assessor may grant an extension to September 1 of the preceding year under specific circumstances (illness with physician certification; death of the owner or a close family member with appropriate documentation).
    • “Immediate family member” is defined as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling residing in the same household.

  • Effective Date

    • The act is proposed to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Landowners with agricultural/horticultural land who own both contiguous and noncontiguous parcels, but whose total acreage meets or exceeds five acres only if combined across parcels, and who can demonstrate at least three contiguous acres within their holdings.
  • Local assessors and tax offices responsible for applying farmland assessment rules and processing applications.

Practical Implications

  • Potential Tax Benefit: By broadening eligibility, more landowners could qualify for farmland assessment, typically resulting in reduced property tax assessments for qualifying agricultural land.
  • Development Considerations: The change is framed as a tool to combat overdevelopment and reduce development pressure by preserving and valuing agricultural uses more broadly.

Related Information

  • Related bills and companion legislation exist (e.g., S 1422, companion bills in other sessions) and several Assembly members are listed as sponsors.
  • The bill aligns with existing farmland-assessment provisions (P.L.1964, c.48) while introducing flexibility for noncontiguous parcels under one owner.

If you’d like, I can add a quick comparison to current law with a side-by-side outline or draft a one-page explainer for stakeholders.

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

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