Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Farmland Preservation Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee releases bill allowing some structures on preserved farmland for special events; conservation group opposes
Summary
Assembly Bill A4556 (1R) was released by the committee. The League of Conservation Voters opposed the bill in testimony, saying it could erode the purpose of the taxpayer-funded farmland preservation program by allowing permanent structures for special-occasion events.
Assembly Bill A4556 (1R) was released by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and Arts Committee after receipt of testimony opposing the measure from the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV).
The bill authorizes certain types of permanent structures recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland to be used, in certain cases, for special-occasion events. Jay Weisbond, identified in the record as a public-policy assistant for the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, testified in opposition, saying the measure ‘‘would allow for big buildings to be constructed on preserved farmland for just these events, which will be taking a significant step towards undermining the integrity of this taxpayer program.’’
Weisbond said the primary purpose of the taxpayer-funded farmland-preservation program is to keep land available for agricultural use and warned that incremental exceptions could ‘‘gradually erode the very purpose of the frontline preservation program, which is to maintain farmland for farming.’’ He urged lawmakers to preserve the program’s integrity and to support farmer diversification through agricultural tools and programs rather than by allowing commercial event structures on preserved land.
The committee record also shows a supportive slip from Hillary Chebbar of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey (no oral testimony) and no other witnesses on the record. The committee moved and released the bill. The roll call recorded votes as: Assemblyman McClellan — yes; Assemblyman Guardian — yes; Assemblywoman McCance D'Amato — yes; Assemblywoman Hall — yes; Vice Chair Calabrese — yes; Chairman Maumen — yes. The bill was recorded as "released." No fiscal impacts or implementation details were provided in the committee testimony.
The transcript does not show amendments to change the core authorization language; opponents urged additional safeguards or preservation-protecting conditions before authorizing permanent structures for events on preserved farmland.
