The Assembly Agriculture Committee voted to release two related measures aimed at strengthening the state’s Jersey Fresh marketing program: Assembly Bill A5270, which would dedicate a portion of wine excise tax revenue to the Jersey Fresh Program Fund, and Assembly Bill A5718, which would permit certain license holders to market and sell alcoholic beverages labeled as “Jersey Fresh” if those beverages contain at least 51% agricultural or horticultural products grown in New Jersey.

Assembly testimony emphasized that Jersey Fresh, the state’s agricultural branding and marketing program launched in 1984, lacks a stable state funding stream and has relied heavily on the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant. Janine Cava of the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative told the committee the program’s baseline state funding has been just $100,000 and that A5270 would reduce dependence on federal grant funds reserved for producer and nonprofit applicants.

Committee discussion included an estimate—provided by the Department of Agriculture during the hearing—that dedicating a portion of the existing wine excise tax would generate roughly $350,000 annually for Jersey Fresh. The committee’s sponsor explained the proposal would reallocate an existing share of excise receipts to create a dedicated funding source rather than raising taxes.

The A5718 provision defining “Jersey Fresh alcoholic beverages” was discussed at length. John Hart, a small farmer and brewery owner, described how his preserved‑farm brewery currently grows most barley used in his products and supports agritourism. Committee members raised questions about the 51% in‑state content threshold, noting barley and other brewing inputs are not widely grown in New Jersey; one member suggested the threshold may limit eligibility for many craft producers. The sponsor stated the 51% standard reflected input from the agricultural community but invited continued refinement.

On A5270 and A5718, committee members recorded votes in favor and the chair announced both bills “are released” (A5270 “as released” and A5718 “released as amended”). Assembly members expressed differing views on whether the proposals indirectly relate to larger tax or budget decisions; one member characterized the funding change as a reallocation of existing receipts, while another expressed concern it could be part of broader revenue changes in the budget process.

The committee also advanced Assembly Resolution AR192, urging USDA to increase research and support for New Jersey grape production and winemaking. Assemblywoman Morales, sponsor of AR192, said the resolution would support vineyards, small businesses and agritourism.

Committee discussion indicated POC for implementation would be the Department of Agriculture and that the measures were intended to stabilize marketing support for New Jersey specialty crop producers and to provide a local‑branding pathway for in‑state alcoholic beverage producers.