Committee amends and releases three bills on farmland transfer fees, farm‑equipment safety and shellfish aquaculture

The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee amended and released three bills after testimony and limited discussion.

A1506: Exemption for preserved farmland transfers to beginning farmers Assembly bill A1506 was read into the record as an exemption from the realty transfer fee for deeds of preserved farmland transferred to a qualified beginning farmer. One witness slip—Ashley Kerr of the Farm Bureau—was filed in favor and did not testify. A motion to move the bill was made, seconded and passed on a roll call that recorded affirmative votes from the members present (Assemblyman Sawicki, Assemblywoman Fantasia—who "left her vote in the affirmative," Assemblywoman Sweeney, Assemblyman Kennedy, Vice Chair Simmons and Chairwoman Katz). The committee released the bill.

A2753: Highway safety outreach on sharing roads with farm equipment (with committee amendments) Assembly bill A2753 requires the Department of Agriculture to publish information on highway safety for motorists passing farm equipment and, per committee amendments, requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to publish and post those materials on its website, social accounts and physical locations. The only witness slip on file was Ashley Kerr (Farm Bureau) in favor. The committee moved to amend and release; a roll call recorded affirmative votes and the bill was released.

A4047: Shellfish aquaculture Sunday‑harvest amendments (industry input and committee amendments) Assembly bill A4047, as amended, would exempt certain commercial shellfish aquaculturists who use predator screening systems from a statute prohibiting Sunday taking of shellfish, with additional cleanup changes in committee amendments. Industry witnesses—Scott McKay (Garden State Seafood Association), Dale Parsons (Parsons Mariculture) and Ashley Kerr (Farm Bureau)—testified that a simpler change (replacing the word "oysters" with "shellfish" in existing language) might achieve the intended result without creating overlapping definitions or regulatory conflict. Committee members and industry representatives said they would continue to work with the sponsor on language. The committee moved to amend and release and the bill was released by roll call.

Vote details (committee roll calls as recorded in the hearing) - A1506: motion to move and release — votes recorded as affirmative: Assemblyman Sawicki (yes), Assemblywoman Fantasia (left vote in affirmative), Assemblywoman Sweeney (yes), Assemblyman Kennedy (yes), Vice Chair Simmons (yes), Chairwoman Katz (yes). Outcome: released. - A2753: motion to amend and release — outcome: released (affirmative roll call recorded). - A4047: motion to amend and release — outcome: released (affirmative roll call recorded); industry witnesses urged narrower statutory language to avoid duplication.

The committee concluded its business and adjourned. Lawmakers indicated they will continue stakeholder discussions on A4047’s wording before the bill advances further in the legislative process.