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A 682

Relates to the regulation and licensing of on-demand pay providers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Hevesi

NJ creates a state program to preserve private woodlands by acquiring perpetual development easements, funded by CBT revenues with up to 80% grants; landowners retain private access.

REFERRED TO BANKS
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Bill Summary · A 682

Summary — Assembly Bill A682 (Committee Substitute)

Note: Although the bill header shown with A-682 references “on‑demand pay providers,” the enacted text and committee substitute address acquisition of development easements on privately‑owned woodlands. This summary covers the substantive woodland preservation provisions of A‑682 (committee substitute reported 6/16/2025).

Purpose and intent

The bill creates a State program to preserve privately owned woodlands by acquiring development easements (or otherwise restricting development in perpetuity). The stated goals are to promote preservation and stewardship for agricultural, silvicultural, and horticultural uses; protect New Jersey’s forested lands; and leverage state, federal, local and private funds to keep woods in productive, sustainable use.

Key provisions

  • Administering authority
    • The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) is directed to establish and run the program.
  • Eligible lands
    • Defines “woodland” as a contiguous area within a property having at least 10% canopy cover.
    • To be eligible a woodland must:
    • Be at least 20 acres in size;
    • Be devoted in whole or part to agricultural production or to production for sale of tree/forest products; and
    • For areas not in agricultural production, be managed under an approved forest stewardship/woodland management plan (state-approved plan or U.S. Forest Service Forest Stewardship Program plan).
  • Acquisition and appraisal
    • The SADC (or the State, local government unit, or qualifying tax‑exempt nonprofit) may acquire development easements that restrict development in perpetuity.
    • Appraisal procedures for easements will follow the same process used for farmland under subsection e. of section 8 of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C‑50).
  • Funding
    • SADC may use constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues in the “Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund” and other funds appropriated for farmland preservation consistent with the Preserve New Jersey Act and the State Constitution.
    • The committee report notes SADC grants may cover up to 80% of acquisition costs for a local government unit or nonprofit acquiring an easement.
    • The committee substitute also directs coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to pursue federal (e.g., Forest Legacy Program), state, local, and private funding.
  • Rulemaking / timeline
    • SADC must adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act no later than one year after the bill’s effective date, including application procedures and project ranking criteria.
  • Recording and access
    • Acquired easements must be filed with the municipal tax assessor and recorded with the county clerk (same manner as a deed).
    • The committee report states landowners are not required to provide public access to preserved woodlands.

Who is affected

  • Private woodland owners (owners of qualifying woodlands, generally ≥20 acres) — may sell or have purchased easements placed on their property.
  • SADC, local governments, and qualifying tax‑exempt nonprofits — potential purchasers/holders and program administrators.
  • Forestry/agricultural producers and rural landowners — benefits from conservation incentives and stewardship requirements.
  • State budget/funding streams — potential use of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and appropriation impacts.

Legislative status and related measures

  • Introduced in Assembly: January 9, 2024 (referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee).
  • Committee substitute reported favorably by Assembly Environment, Natural Resources and Solid Waste Committee: June 16, 2025 (then referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee in committee report).
  • Earlier procedural entries indicate referral to Assembly Banks Committee (1/8/2025) as well.
  • Companion/related bills: S-699 (companion), S-4355 (companion), prior-session bills A-10309, A-3570, A-2495.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Conservation: Would help preserve private forestland and support sustainable forest management, potentially slowing loss of forest cover and protecting related ecological services.
  • Agriculture/forestry economy: Supports lands used for timber, tree crops, and agriculture; stewardship plans may promote active management.
  • Fiscal: Use of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and possible state appropriations may affect other uses of those funds; the 80% grant match for local/nonprofit acquisitions could leverage local/private funds.
  • Program design choices (minimum acreage, stewardship requirements, appraisal rules) will shape which properties qualify and how broadly the program is used.

This summary reflects the Assembly Committee Substitute reported 6/16/2025 and related bill text and committee statements.

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

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