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S 3268

Relates to comprehensive delivery of infrastructure delivered between a public entity and a development entity

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney

Authorizes preserved farmland owners to obtain up to four permits per year for agriculture-related events, each limited to one week or weekend and not harming ongoing farming use.

REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS
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Bill Summary · S 3268

Summary of Senate Bill S 3268

Note: The metadata lists a title related to infrastructure delivery, but the introduced version of S 3268 concerns activities on preserved farmland. The summary below reflects the introduced content about agriculture-related events on preserved farmland.

Overview

S 3268 would authorize county agriculture development boards to issue permits allowing agriculture-related events on preserved farmland. The goal is to regulate and standardize temporary, land-use events while protecting farmland preservation and ongoing agricultural activity.

Key Provisions

  • Permit requirement

    • No person may hold an agriculture-related event on preserved farmland without a permit from the county agriculture development board (CADB).

  • Authority to issue permits

    • CADBs may issue permits to the owner of preserved farmland for agriculture-related events, subject to stated limits and conditions.

  • Limits and duration

    • Up to four permits may be issued for a single farm per year.
    • Each permit/event is limited to either one week or one weekend, as specified in the permit.

  • Land-use impact

    • The event must temporarily disturb the land for agricultural or horticultural purposes and must not interfere with the land’s agricultural use after the event.

  • Deed restrictions

    • Holding an eligible agriculture-related event pursuant to a permit shall not be considered a violation of any agricultural deed restriction for farmland preservation, provided the event complies with the permit terms.

  • Definitions

    • “Agriculture-related event” includes festivals or similar activities highlighting agricultural/horticultural practices or products and occurring on specific days or consecutive days. Examples include hay bale races, flower shows, pumpkin-related events, tractor pulls, and similar activities.
    • “Preserved farmland” refers to land preserved through various farmland preservation mechanisms under state law.

  • Effective date

    • The act would take effect 180 days after enactment, with permission for CADBs to begin anticipatory administrative action to implement the act.

Affected Parties

  • Landowners of preserved farmland in New Jersey seeking to host permitted agriculture-related events.
  • County Agriculture Development Boards (CADBs), which would administer permits and enforce terms.
  • Other stakeholders in farmland preservation, including those concerned with deed restrictions and ongoing agricultural use.

Timeline and Procedural History

  • Introduced: November 20, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Procurement and Contracts
  • Legislative actions listed include prior referrals and committee considerations, with Senate sponsor Jeremy Cooney (primary). Related companion bill: A 3914; prior-session S 9287.

Related Legislation

  • Companion: A 3914
  • Prior-session: S 9287

Notes

  • The bill aims to balance the preservation of farmland with opportunities for limited, appropriate public or educational events.
  • The defined cap (four permits per farm per year) and duration limits are designed to minimize disruptions to farming operations and preserve agricultural productivity.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with existing farmland-preservation rules or a brief memo on potential administrative implications for CADBs.

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

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