reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-32 - "Director of Milk Control" or "Director of the Office of Milk Industry" in laws, contracts or documents

4:1-32. "Director of Milk Control" or "Director of the Office of Milk Industry" in laws, contracts or documents
Whenever the term "Director of Milk Control" or "Director of the Office of Milk Industry" occurs or any reference is made thereto, in any law, contract, or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Director of the Division of Dairy Industry established hereunder.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1780, s. 12. Amended by L.1968, c. 358, s. 3, eff. Dec. 2, 1968.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-33 - Pending actions or proceedings; orders or recommendations

4:1-33. Pending actions or proceedings; orders or recommendations
This act shall not affect actions or proceedings, civil or criminal, brought by or against the director of milk control, and pending on the effective date of this act, but such actions or proceedings may be prosecuted or defended in the same manner and to the same effect by the director of the Office of Milk Industry established hereunder, as if the foregoing provisions had not taken effect; nor shall any of the foregoing provisions affect any order or recommendation made by, or other matters or proceedings before, the director of milk control, and all such matters or proceedings pending before such director on the effective date of this act shall be continued by the director of the Office of Milk Industry established hereunder, as if the foregoing provisions had not taken effect.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1780, s. 13.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-34 - Appeal

4:1-34. Appeal
Any person, applicant or licensee aggrieved by any act, proceeding, rule, order, regulation, decision or determination of the director of the Office of Milk Industry and directly affected thereby, shall be entitled to judicial review thereof. Proceedings for review shall be instituted by filing an appeal in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, in accordance with its rules, within ten days after: the termination of such proceeding; or the filing of such regulation, rule or order with the Secretary of State pursuant to law; or the service of the decision or determination.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1780, s. 14.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-35 - Stay of rule or order

4:1-35. Stay of rule or order
The filing of an appeal from a rule or order of the director fixing or refixing any price, shall, unless the court otherwise orders, act as a stay upon any such rule or order that would otherwise become effective, such stay to continue until a decision is rendered upon such appeal by the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1781, s. 15.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-36 - Record on appeal

4:1-36. Record on appeal
Within five days after service of the notice of appeal the director of the Office of Milk Industry shall, in accordance with rules of the Superior Court, transmit to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, the original or a certified copy of the entire record of the proceedings under review; but, by stipulation of all parties to the appeal, the record may be shortened by eliminating any portion thereof.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1781, s. 16.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-37 - Additional evidence on appeal; modification of decision by director

4:1-37. Additional evidence on appeal; modification of decision by director
Application may be made by any party to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, in accordance with its rules, for leave to present additional evidence on the issues in the case and if it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for failure to present it in the proceedings before the director of the Office of Milk Industry, the court may order that the additional evidence be taken before the director upon such terms as the court may deem proper. The director may modify his findings and rule, order, decision or determination by reason of the additional evidence and shall file with the Appellate Division of the Superior Court the additional evidence together with any modified or new rule, order, decision or determination.
Whenever, in its discretion, the court determines that the interests of justice so require, it may, with or without any such application first having been made to it, order that additional evidence be taken before it upon such terms as the court may deem proper.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1781, s. 17.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-38 - Conduct of appeal; disposition on appeal

4:1-38. Conduct of appeal; disposition on appeal
The appeal shall be conducted by the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, without a jury, in accordance with its rules and shall be confined to the record and any additional testimony which may be taken pursuant to the provisions of section seventeen hereof. The court may affirm the rule, order, decision or determination of the director, or may suspend, reverse, vacate or modify it if the substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced as a result of the director's rule, order, decision or determination being:
(1) Contrary to constitutional rights or privileges; or
(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the director; or
(3) Affected by other error of law; or
(4) Made or promulgated upon unlawful procedure; or
(5) Unsupported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record as submitted; or
(6) Arbitrary or capricious.
In making the foregoing determinations the court shall review the whole record or such portions thereof as may be cited by any party; and due account shall be taken of the rule of prejudicial error. Substantial evidence shall mean the quantum of evidence similar to that necessary to sustain a jury's finding in an action at law.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1782, s. 18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-41 - Effective date

4:1-41. Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and forty-nine, except that any appointment, and any confirmation or approval of any appointment, permitted by this act may be made prior to such date.
L.1948, c. 447, p. 1782, s. 21.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-42 - Establishment; appointment of State Chemist; employees

4:1-42. Establishment; appointment of State Chemist; employees
There is hereby established in the Department of Agriculture the office of State Chemist. The State Chemist shall be appointed by the State Board of Agriculture in conjunction with the Secretary of Agriculture in the same manner as other officers of the department are appointed and shall be subject to the supervision of the secretary. The secretary shall assign to the office of State Chemist such employees in the Department of Agriculture as may be necessary to assist the State Chemist in the performance of his duties.
L.1965, c. 80, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1966.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-43 - Powers and duties

4:1-43. Powers and duties
The functions, powers and duties of the chemist of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station prescribed by chapters 4 and 9 of the Revised Statutes and chapter 316 of the laws of 1951 are continued, but such functions, powers and duties are hereby transferred to and vested in the State Chemist established hereunder and shall be exercised and performed by him.
L.1965, c. 80, s. 2, eff. July 1, 1966.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-43.1 - Transfer and civil service status of employees of chemist and seed analyst of New Jersey agricultural experiment station

4:1-43.1. Transfer and civil service status of employees of chemist and seed analyst of New Jersey agricultural experiment station
Upon the establishment July 1, 1966 in the Department of Agriculture of the offices of State Chemist and State Seed Analyst, in accordance with P.L.1965, chapter 80, all positions or employments theretofore held with the chemist of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in the exercise of the functions, powers and duties prescribed by chapters 4 and 9 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes and chapter 316 of the laws of 1951 and with the seed analyst of said experiment station in the exercise of the functions, powers and duties prescribed by chapters 125 of the laws of 1961 and 29 of the laws of 1963, which can be allocated to the classified service, in accordance with the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes, shall be so allocated under appropriate titles, by the Civil Service Commission; and all persons regularly employed by said chemist and seed analyst prior to July 1, 1966, who consent to their transfer to the Department of Agriculture in implementation of P.L.1965, chapter 80, shall be recorded, without examination, as having been permanently appointed thereto as of the dates of their respective original appointments by said chemist or seed analyst, under said titles, and shall thereafter hold the same under and subject to the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes relating to the classified service.
L.1966, c. 63, s. 1, eff. June 6, 1966.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-44 - Establishment; appointment of State Seed Analyst; employees

4:1-44. Establishment; appointment of State Seed Analyst; employees
There is hereby established in the Department of Agriculture the office of State Seed Analyst. The State Seed Analyst shall be appointed by the State Board of Agriculture in conjunction with the Secretary of Agriculture in the same manner as other officers of the department are appointed and shall be subject to the supervision of the secretary. The secretary shall assign to the office of State Seed Analyst such employees in the Department of Agriculture as may be necessary to assist the State Seed Analyst in the performance of his duties.
L.1965, c. 80, s. 3, eff. July 1, 1966.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-45 - Powers and duties

4:1-45. Powers and duties
The functions, powers and duties of the seed analyst of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station prescribed by chapter 125 of the laws of 1961 and chapter 29 of the laws of 1963 are continued, but such functions, powers and duties are hereby transferred to and vested in the State Seed Analyst established hereunder and shall be exercised and performed by him.
L.1965, c. 80, s. 4, eff. July 1, 1966.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-46 - Legislative findings

4:1-46. Legislative findings
The Legislature finds that agriculture continues to be one of the leading industries of the State with annual gross sales of nearly $300,000,000.00 and employing more than 40,000 people, either seasonally or year-round; that it is in the interest of the nonfarm people of the State that our farmers continue to own and operate their farms so that New Jersey can remain the Garden State; that the loss of farms in this State continues to be a serious threat to the preservation of green acres and open space; and that the farmers and the agri-business industry need help to encourage the retention of agriculture, to find ways of making it economically viable, and to expand its scope in the State.
L.1971, c. 327, s. 1, eff. Oct. 28, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-47 - Coordinator of agricultural development; appointment; powers and duties; term of office; compensation

4:1-47. Coordinator of agricultural development; appointment; powers and duties; term of office; compensation
The Secretary of Agriculture with the approval of the State Board of Agriculture shall appoint a coordinator of agricultural development for the department who shall have the function, power and duty to coordinate and cooperate with all segments of the agricultural industry in the dissemination of information to the public on the importance and value of agriculture as a part of the overall economy and the preservation of a healthy environment in the State and assist in the development of plans that will encourage and assist farmers and related business in the improvement and expansion of farming and agri-business in this State. The coordinator shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary and the board and, subject to available appropriations, shall receive a salary in such amount as the board shall prescribe.
L.1971, c. 327, s. 2, eff. Oct. 28, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-48 - "Farm Liaison."

4:1-48 "Farm Liaison."
1. The Secretary of Agriculture, with the approval of the State Board of Agriculture, shall designate a current employee of the department as "Farm Liaison" who shall have the function, power, and duty to coordinate with individual farmers to encourage participation in department and State agricultural programs. The liaison shall: (1) encourage farmers to participate in State agriculture programs that may benefit those farmers; (2) inform farmers about potential taxation benefits; (3) disseminate information about pilot programs, food donation programs, anti-hunger initiatives, and any other department programs that the liaison may deem relevant to each individual farmer; and (4) serve as a coordinator between farmers and organizations that engage in gleaning activities. The liaison shall coordinate with the State Agricultural Development Committee and the county agriculture development boards, as deemed by the liaison to be appropriate. The liaison shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary and board.
L.2019, c.94.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-49 - Findings, declaration relative to "One Health".

4:1-49 Findings, declaration relative to "One Health".
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The term "One Health" reflects the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment;
b. The strong connections and interdependency between human, companion animal, livestock, and ecosystem health are recognized in the One Health initiative framework, which facilitates addressing complex, multi-disciplinary issues such as zoonotic diseases, vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance;
c. Existing One Health initiatives at the federal level include the One Health Office established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the One Health Coordination Center established by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and worldwide more than 950 prominent scientists, physicians, and veterinarians have endorsed the One Health initiative;
d. Awareness and collaboration among disciplines will help protect the environment, the health of all species, save lives in present and future generations, and increase quality of life, physical and mental health, and productivity;
e. The term "One Health" recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment and is described as a collaborative, multi-sector, and transdisciplinary approach, working at the local, regional, national, and global levels, with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment;
f. One Health is not a new concept, but it has become increasingly important in recent years as many factors have changed interactions between people, animals, and the environment, leading to the emergence or reemergence of many diseases;
g. A One Health approach is important because: six out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals; animals can sometimes serve as early warning signs of potential illness in people; and public health preparedness depends on agriculture in a variety of ways, including the cultivation of a wide-range of vaccines in poultry eggs; and
h. It is, therefore, in the public interest for the State to establish a permanent New Jersey One Health Task Force to promote the health and wellness of New Jersey's residents, animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife, and natural resources by encouraging the collaborative efforts of experts and leveraging knowledge and resources effectively.
L.2021, c.117, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-50 - "New Jersey One Health Task Force", established; goals, responsibilities.

4:1-50 "New Jersey One Health Task Force", established; goals, responsibilities.
2. a. There is established the "New Jersey One Health Task Force" in the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the task force shall be to develop a strategic plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals and State agencies, with the goal of promoting the health and well-being of the State's residents, animals, and environment.
b. The goals and responsibilities of the task force shall include, but are not limited to:
(1) development of a plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between human, animal, and environment health professionals;
(2) development of protocols for the response to, and recovery from, zoonotic disease outbreaks in animals and humans;
(3) development of better diagnostic tests for zoonotic, vector-borne, and environmental diseases;
(4) collaboration among disciplines for development of effective xenosurveillance to identify genetic signatures of pathogens in vertebrates;
(5) promotion of and education concerning judicious antibiotic use by human, veterinary, and agriculture health professionals;
(6) investigation of antibiotic alternatives, such as bacteriophage therapy;
(7) coordination and collaboration among appropriate entities to develop new approaches to reduce hazards to human and animal health and to address public health threats in a manner that prevents duplication; and
(8) educational and outreach initiatives to promote the One Health approach across State government agencies, the State's academic and research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private entities.
c. In executing its responsibilities, the task force shall identify and partner with academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations in the State and consult with associations, organizations, and individuals who are knowledgeable about the One Health initiative.
L.2021, c.117, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1-52 - Report to Governor.

4:1-52 Report to Governor.
4. Within 12 months after the task force's organizational meeting, and at least biennially thereafter, the task force shall submit a written report to the Governor, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, summarizing its work in the prior year, which report may include any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action to improve, promote, and protect the health and well-being of the State's residents, animals, and environment. Reports issued pursuant to this section shall be posted on the Internet website of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Health.
L.2021, c.117, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1A-2 - Reimbursement for expenses

4:1A-2. Reimbursement for expenses
All members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses in attending the meetings of the council and in the performance of their other duties.
L.1959, c. 22, p. 98, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1A-3 - Organization of council; chairman

4:1A-3. Organization of council; chairman
The council shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its members. The council shall select from its membership annually a chairman who shall serve until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify.
L.1959, c. 22, p. 98, s. 3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1A-4 - Study and recommendations

4:1A-4. Study and recommendations
It shall be the duty of the council to study and make recommendations concerning the social and economic conditions in rural areas, including those relative to land use, planning, farm production, taxation, farm labor, water supply, marketing, schools, health services, police and fire protection, industrial development, and any other factors that are peculiarly related to rural areas.
L.1959, c. 22, p. 98, s. 4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1A-5 - Access to information, data, and findings applicable to rural conditions

4:1A-5. Access to information, data, and findings applicable to rural conditions
The council shall have access to such information, data, and findings of State, county and local agencies as apply to rural conditions.
L.1959, c. 22, p. 99, s. 5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1A-6 - Equipment and staff

4:1A-6. Equipment and staff
It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture to furnish such equipment and staff as is necessary to implement the work of the council within the limits of appropriations for the purpose.
L.1959, c. 22, p. 99, s. 6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-2 - Legislative findings

4:1B-2. Legislative findings
The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
a. That the preservation of agricultural open space and the retention of agricultural activities would serve the best interests of all citizens of this State by insuring the numerous social, economic and environmental benefits which accrue from the continuation of agriculture in the Garden State.
b. That past and present policies and efforts of this State intended to promote such preservation and retention, while beneficial and worthy of continuation, have been inadequate to insure the permanent existence of such activities, which constitute a vital and benevolent use of the land which is so rapidly disappearing in this, the most densely populated and highly urbanized State in the nation.
c. That it is both necessary and desirable to implement additional policies, including the creation of an agricultural preserve, designed to provide for such preservation and retention.
d. That it is the express intention of this act to promote and insure the continuation of such activities within the agricultural preserve as provided herein.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 2, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-3 - Additional legislative findings

4:1B-3. Additional legislative findings
The Legislature further finds and declares that the State preservation of agricultural open space through the purchase of development easements to prime agricultural lands is wholly compatible with, and specifically authorized by, the provisions of the "New Jersey Green Acres and Recreation Opportunities Bond Act of 1974" (P.L.1974, c. 102).
L.1976, c. 50, s. 3, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-4 - Definitions

4:1B-4. Definitions
As used in this act:
a. "Agricultural preserve" means a significant mass of reasonably contiguous prime agricultural lands created through the State purchase of development easements to such lands;
b. "Committee" means the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program designated pursuant to section 10 of this act;
c. "Departments" means the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture;
d. "Development easement" means an interest in land, less than fee simple absolute title thereto, which interest represents the right to develop such lands for all nonagricultural purposes as determined by the provisions of this act and any relevant rules or regulations promulgated pursuant hereto;
e. "Prime agricultural land" means land having soil classifications of Class I, II or III, according to Soil Conservation class, except that a certain amount of land supportive of cranberry, blueberry or other special agricultural production and woodland immediately supportive of agriculture may be considered as prime agricultural lands for the purposes of this act;
f. "Program" means the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program established by this act;
g. "Program area" means the location of the program designated pursuant to section 14 of this act;
h. "Steering committee" means the Steering Committee on the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program created pursuant to section 8 of this act.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 4, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-5 - Agricultural preserve demonstration program; establishment; purpose

4:1B-5. Agricultural preserve demonstration program; establishment; purpose
There is hereby established the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program. The purpose of this program shall be the creation of an agricultural preserve, which shall remain undeveloped for other than agricultural purposes as determined in accordance with the provisions of this act. Such preserve shall be established through the State purchase of development easements to such lands. It shall further be the purpose of this program to provide information and experience concerning such State efforts to preserve agricultural open space. It shall be the goal of the program to acquire such easements to approximately 5,000 acres of such land within the agricultural preserve.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 5, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-6 - Administration; operational responsibility

4:1B-6. Administration; operational responsibility
The program shall be administered by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture. The Division of Rural Resources of the Department of Agriculture shall have operating responsibility for the program.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 6, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-7 - Conduct on voluntary basis; prohibition of eminent domain

4:1B-7. Conduct on voluntary basis; prohibition of eminent domain
The program shall be conducted on a voluntary basis for all landowners in the program area; the provisions of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, it is the intention of this act to prohibit the exercise of eminent domain by the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, in acquiring development easements to prime agricultural lands pursuant to the provisions of this act.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 7, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-9 - Steering committee

4:1B-9. Steering committee
a. There is hereby established a Steering Committee on the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program. Such steering committee shall be a local advisory body composed of elected officials and residents of the program area. The purpose of the steering committee shall be to provide the departments with local input concerning the implementation of the program. Membership on the steering committee shall be as follows:
(1) Two members appointed by the governing body of each municipality located within the program area;
(2) One member appointed by the planning board of each municipality located within the program area;
(3) Two members appointed by the county board of agriculture of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;
(4) One member appointed by the county board of chosen freeholders of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;
(5) One member appointed by the planning board of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;
(6) The Secretary of Agriculture or his designated representative;
(7) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or his designated representative;
(8) Ex-officio members of the Legislature representing legislative districts located, in whole or part, within the program area.
b. The duties and responsibilities of the steering committee shall be:
(1) To communicate to residents and landowners in the program area the details of the program and the implications and effects of participation therein;
(2) To advise the departments on guidelines furnished to the owners of prime farmlands within the program area concerning the offer and sale of development easements to such land to the State;
(3) To advise the departments, following the receipt of development easements offers as provided by section 9 of this act, as to the compatibility of such easements with municipal and county zoning and master plans, and to make recommendations considering the suitability of such easements for inclusion in the program;
(4) To advise the departments on the guidelines used to appraise prime agricultural lands for overall market and agriculture value pursuant to section 8 of this act;
(5) To make recommendations to the departments, following the results of such appraisals, on the acquisition of such development easements.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 9, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-10 - Joint legislative oversight committee

4:1B-10. Joint legislative oversight committee
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Environment and the Senate Committee on Agriculture are hereby designated as the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program. The duties and responsibilities of the committee shall be as follows:
a. To review and evaluate the proposed rules, regulations and guidelines for the implementation and administration of the agricultural preserve program, in terms of feasibility, effect and conformance with the intentions and provisions of this act.
b. To analyze the progress of the program prior to the State acquisition of development easements to prime agricultural lands, so as to determine the advisability of proceeding therewith.
c. To conduct a final program review and evaluation following the State acquisition of such easements; such final review and evaluation shall be conducted and transmitted to the Legislature within 1 year of such acquisition, and shall include the following:
(1) A statement of the social, economic and environmental effects of the program on the program area and on the State;
(2) An evaluation of the impact of the program on agriculture and related industries in this State;
(3) An analysis of the mechanism of the State purchase of developments rights to prime agricultural lands as a means of preserving agricultural open space, the feasibility of further use of such mechanism in other areas of the State, and potential sources of funding therefor; and,
(4) An identification of possible alternative methods of preserving agricultural open space in New Jersey.
d. To review and evaluate all relevant existing and proposed statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances, so as to determine the individual and cumulative effect upon the conduct of agricultural activities in this State.
e. To recommend to the Legislature and to the departments, prior to, during and following the implementation of the program, any legislation, rule, regulation, guideline, or revision thereto which it deems necessary in order to effectuate the purposes of this act or the findings of the committee concerning the program created herein.
The departments are hereby directed to cooperate with the committee in providing any assistance or information necessary for or incident to the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the committee as herein provided.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 10, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-11 - Statement of development easement; attachment to and recordation with deed

4:1B-11. Statement of development easement; attachment to and recordation with deed
Following the purchase by the State of any development easement to prime agricultural land as provided by this act, the owner of such lands shall cause a statement containing the conditions of such conveyance and the terms of the restrictions on the use and development of such land to be attached to and recorded with the deed to such land in the same manner as such deed was originally recorded.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 11, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-12 - Actions to enforce development easements

4:1B-12. Actions to enforce development easements
The Department of Environmental Protection is hereby empowered to institute, in the name of the State, any proceeding intended to enforce the conditions or restrictions on the use and development of land created pursuant to the State purchase of development easements as provided herein.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 12, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-13 - Conveyance of development easement; conditions

4:1B-13. Conveyance of development easement; conditions
No development easement purchased by the State pursuant to the provisions of this act shall be sold, given, transferred or otherwise conveyed in any manner and no lands within the agricultural preserve shall be diverted to a use other than conservation or recreation without the approval of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Secretary of Agriculture and the State House Commission and following a public hearing at least 1 month prior to any such approvals. In the case of the conveyance of such development easements, such approvals shall not be given unless an amount equal to the value of such development easement, as determined by the State House Commission, shall be deposited in the State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition and Development Fund created pursuant to P.L.1974, c. 102. Money so returned to said fund shall be deemed wholly a part of the portion of that fund available for land acquisition or development by the State pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1974, c. 102 and P.L.1975, c. 155.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 13, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-14 - Rules and regulations

4:1B-14. Rules and regulations
a. The departments shall have the power, in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act" (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) to adopt, amend or repeal any rule or regulation deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act. Such rules or regulations shall include a designation of the following:
(1) The specific location of the program. Such designation shall result from studies conducted by the departments of alternate locations offering prime agricultural lands which are reasonably representative of all such lands located within this State in terms of agricultural characteristics, value, and vulnerability to pressures for development for other than agricultural purposes.
(2) The maximum acceptable percentage of woodland contained in specific offers of such development easements;
(3) The minimum acceptable percentage of total farm acreage to be represented by such offers;
(4) Guidelines concerning the specific restrictions on the use and development of prime agricultural lands subject to a development easement purchased by the State pursuant to this act. Such guidelines shall prohibit nonagricultural uses and development of such lands except for limited improvements or construction designed to provide housing for persons deriving a substantial portion of their income from agricultural activities conducted on such lands.
b. The departments shall transmit copies of all proposed rules and regulations to the committee in order to facilitate the review and evaluation of the program.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 14, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1B-15 - Severability

4:1B-15. Severability
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or party thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
L.1976, c. 50, s. 15, eff. July 22, 1976.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-2 - Legislative findings

4:1C-2. Legislative findings
The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The retention of agricultural activities would serve the best interest of all citizens of this State by insuring the numerous social, economic and environmental benefits which accrue from one of the largest industries in the Garden State;
b. Several factors have combined to create a situation wherein the regulations of various State agencies and the ordinances of individual municipalities may unnecessarily constrain essential farm practices;
c. It is necessary to establish a systematic and continuing effort to examine the effect of governmental regulation on the agricultural industry;
d. All State departments and agencies thereof should encourage the maintenance of agricultural production and a positive agricultural business climate;
e. It is the express intention of this act to establish as the policy of this State the protection of commercial farm operations from nuisance action, where recognized methods and techniques of agricultural production are applied, while, at the same time, acknowledging the need to provide a proper balance among the varied and sometimes conflicting interests of all lawful activities in New Jersey.
L.1983, c. 31, s. 2, eff. Jan. 26, 1983.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-3.1 - Certain beekeeping operations protected by "Right to Farm Act."

4:1C-3.1 Certain beekeeping operations protected by "Right to Farm Act."
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-3), or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, a farm management unit that qualifies as a commercial farm for the purposes of the "Right to Farm Act," P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-1 et seq.), because it is a beekeeping operation producing honey or other agricultural or horticultural apiary-related products, or providing crop pollination services, worth $10,000 or more annually, shall be entitled to the protections provided to any other commercial farm under that act but not for agricultural or horticultural activities that are not apiary-related activities, unless the farm management unit also qualifies as a commercial farm pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-3) for reasons other than as a beekeeping operation as described in that section.
L.2015, c.75, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-5 - Powers of committee

4:1C-5. Powers of committee
The committee may:
a. Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;
b. Adopt and use a seal and alter the same at its pleasure;
c. Sue and be sued;
d. Apply for, receive, and accept from any federal, State, or other public or private source, grants or loans for, or in aid of, the committee's authorized purposes;
e. Enter into any agreement or contract, execute any instrument, and perform any act or thing necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purposes of the committee or to carry out any power expressly given in this act;
f. Adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act;
g. Request assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, commission or agency as may be made available for these purposes.
L.1983, c. 32, s. 5, eff. Jan. 26, 1983, operative Jan. 26, 1983.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-6 - Duties of committee

4:1C-6. Duties of committee
The committee shall:
a. Consider any matter relating to the improvement of farm management practices;
b. Review and evaluate the proposed rules, regulations and guidelines of any State agency in terms of feasibility, effect and conformance with the intentions and provisions of this act;
c. Study, develop and recommend to the appropriate State departments and agencies thereof a program of agricultural management practices which shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, air and water quality control, noise control, pesticide control, fertilizer application, integrated pest management, and labor practices;
d. Upon a finding of conflict between the regulatory practices of any State instrumentality and the agricultural management practices recommended by the committee, commence a period of negotiation not to exceed 120 days with the State instrumentality in an effort to reach a resolution of the conflict, during which period the State instrumentality shall inform the committee of the reasons for accepting, conditionally accepting or rejecting the committee's recommendations and submit a schedule for implementing all or a portion of the committee's recommendations.
e. Within 1 year of the effective date of this act and at least annually thereafter, recommend to the Governor, the Legislature and the appropriate State departments and agencies thereof any actions which should be taken that recognize the need to provide a proper balance among the varied and sometimes conflicting interests of all lawful activities in the State, minimize unnecessary constraints on essential agricultural activities, and are consistent with the promotion of the public health, safety and welfare.
L.1983, c. 31, s. 5, eff. Jan. 26, 1983.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-7 - Additional duties of committee

4:1C-7. Additional duties of committee
The committee shall:
a. Establish guidelines and adopt criteria for identification of agricultural lands suitable for inclusion in agricultural development areas and farmland preservation programs to be developed and adopted by a board applying for moneys from the fund;
b. Certify to the secretary that the board has approved the agricultural development area and the farmland preservation program within the area where matching grants from the fund shall be expended;
c. Review State programs and plans and any other public or private action which would adversely affect the continuation of agriculture as a viable use of the land in agricultural development areas and recommend any administrative action, executive orders or legislative remedies which may be appropriate to lessen these adverse effects;
d. Study, develop and recommend to the departments and agencies of State government a program of recommended agricultural management practices appropriate to agricultural development areas, municipally approved programs (provided that these practices shall not be more restrictive than for those areas not included within municipally approved programs) and other farmland preservation programs, which program shall include but not necessarily be limited to: air and water quality control; noise control; pesticide control; fertilizer application; soil and water management practices; integrated pest management; and labor practices;
e. Review and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove all applications for funds pursuant to the provisions of this act; and
f. Generally act as an advocate for and promote the interests of productive agriculture and farmland retention within the administrative processes of State government.
L.1983, c. 32, s. 6, eff. Jan. 26, 1983, operative Jan. 26, 1983.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-8 - Use of appropriations

4:1C-8. Use of appropriations
The secretary shall use the sum of money appropriated by section 31 of this act, and any other sums as may be appropriated from time to time for like purposes, to assist the committee in administering the provisions of this act to make grants to assist boards or any other local units as authorized herein, to acquire development easements, to purchase fee simple absolute titles to farmland for resale with agricultural deed restrictions for farmland preservation purposes, and to make grants to landowners to fund soil and water conservation projects, on land devoted to farmland preservation programs within duly certified agricultural development areas.
With respect to moneys to be utilized to make grants for soil and water conservation projects, the secretary shall not approve any grant unless it shall be for a project which is also part of a farm conservation plan approved by the local soil conservation district.
L. 1983, c. 32, s. 4; amended 1988,c.4,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 4 - Agriculture and Domestic Animals › Section 4:1C-9.1 - Rules, regulations adopted by State Agriculture Development Committee

4:1C-9.1. Rules, regulations adopted by State Agriculture Development Committee
5. a. The State Agriculture Development Committee, in consultation with the Department of Labor, shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations determining the classification for agriculture, forestry, fishing, and trapping under the North American Industry Classification System of codes, and for the production of agricultural and horticultural crops, trees and forest products, livestock, and poultry and other commodities that are described in the Standard Industrial Classification codes for agriculture, forestry, fishing and trapping, for the purposes of compliance with P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-1 et seq.). The State Agriculture Development Committee shall ensure that the provisions of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-1 et seq.) shall continue to apply to any owner or operator of a commercial farm, or other person, to whom the provisions applied prior to the effective date of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.13:1D-138 et al.).
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the State Agriculture Development Committee may, immediately upon filing the regulations with the Office of Administrative Law, adopt such temporary regulations as the committee determines necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.13:1D-138 et al.). The regulations shall be in effect for a period not to exceed 270 days after the date of filing, except that in no case shall the regulations be in effect one year after the effective date of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.13:1D-138 et al.). The regulations may thereafter be amended, adopted or readopted as the committee determines necessary in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act".
L.2003,c.157,s.5.