Bill Text: NJ A703 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits cultivation or production of marijuana on preserved farmland and eligibility for farmland assessment of any land used for such purposes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [A703 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A703-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARY PAT ANGELINI
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits cultivation or production of marijuana on preserved farmland and eligibility for farmland assessment of any land used for such purposes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning the cultivation and production of marijuana, amending various sections of statutory law, and supplementing P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-11 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-9) is amended to read as follows:
6. Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal or county ordinance, resolution, or regulation to the contrary, the owner or operator of a commercial farm, located in an area in which, as of December 31, 1997 or thereafter, agriculture is a permitted use under the municipal zoning ordinance and is consistent with the municipal master plan, or which commercial farm is in operation as of the effective date of P.L.1998, c.48 (C.4:1C-10.1 et al.), and the operation of which conforms to agricultural management practices recommended by the committee and adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), or whose specific operation or practice has been determined by the appropriate county board, or in a county where no county board exists, the committee, to constitute a generally accepted agricultural operation or practice, and all relevant federal or State statutes or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and which does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety may:
a. Produce agricultural and horticultural crops, trees and forest products, livestock, and poultry and other commodities as described in the Standard Industrial Classification for agriculture, forestry, fishing and trapping or, after the operative date of the regulations adopted pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.4:1C-9.1), included under the corresponding classification under the North American Industry Classification System;
b. Process and package the agricultural output of the commercial farm;
c. Provide for the operation of a farm market, including the construction of building and parking areas in conformance with municipal standards;
d. Replenish soil nutrients and improve soil tilth;
e. Control pests, predators and diseases of plants and animals;
f. Clear woodlands using open burning and other techniques, install and maintain vegetative and terrain alterations and other physical facilities for water and soil conservation and surface water control in wetland areas;
g. Conduct on-site disposal of organic agricultural wastes;
h. Conduct agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities provided that the activities are related to marketing the agricultural or horticultural output of the commercial farm;
i. Engage in the generation of power or heat from biomass, solar, or wind energy, provided that the energy generation is consistent with the provisions of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4 et al.), as applicable, and the rules and regulations adopted therefor and pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-9.2); and
j. Engage in any other agricultural activity as determined by the State Agriculture Development Committee and adopted by rule or regulation pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), except that the cultivation or production of marijuana shall not be considered an agricultural activity, including but not limited to, marijuana for medical use regulated pursuant to P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2009, c.213, s.2)
2. Section 3 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-13) is amended to read as follows:
3. As used in this act:
a. "Agricultural development areas" means areas identified by a county agricultural development board pursuant to the provisions of section 11 of this act and certified by the State Agriculture Development Committee[;].
b. "Agricultural use" means the use of land for common farmsite activities, including but not limited to: production, harvesting, storage, grading, packaging, processing and the wholesale and retail marketing of crops, plants, animals and other related commodities and the use and application of techniques and methods of soil preparation and management, fertilization, weed, disease and pest control, disposal of farm waste, irrigation, drainage and water management, and grazing[;]. "Agricultural use" shall not include the cultivation or production of marijuana, including but not limited to, marijuana for medical use regulated pursuant to P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et seq.).
c. "Board" means a county agriculture development board established pursuant to section 7 or a subregional agricultural retention board established pursuant to section 10 of this act;
d. "Committee" means the State Agriculture Development Committee established pursuant to section 4 of the "Right to Farm Act," P.L. 1983, c. 31 (C. 4:1C-4) [;].
e. "Cost," as used with respect to cost of fee simple absolute title, development easements or soil and water conservation projects, includes, in addition to the usual connotations thereof, interest or discount on bonds; cost of issuance of bonds; the cost of inspection, appraisal, legal, financial, and other professional services, estimates and advice; and the cost of organizational, administrative and other work and services, including salaries, supplies, equipment and materials necessary to administer this act;
f. "Development easement" means an interest in land, less than fee simple absolute title thereto, which enables the owner to develop the land for any nonagricultural purpose as determined by the provisions of this act and any relevant rules or regulations promulgated pursuant hereto [;].
g. "Development project" means any proposed construction or capital improvement for nonagricultural purposes [;].
h. "Farmland preservation program" or "municipally approved farmland preservation program" (hereinafter referred to as municipally approved program) means any voluntary program, the duration of which is at least [8] eight years, authorized by law enacted subsequent to the effective date of the "Farmland Preservation Bond Act of 1981," P.L. 1981, c. 276, which has as its principal purpose the long-term preservation of significant masses of reasonably contiguous agricultural land within agricultural development areas adopted pursuant to this act and the maintenance and support of increased agricultural production as the first priority use of that land. Any municipally approved program shall be established pursuant to section 14 of this act [;].
i "Fund" means the "Farmland Preservation Fund" created pursuant to the "Farmland Preservation Bond Act of 1981," P.L. 1981, c. 276 [;].
j. "Governing body" means, in the case of a county, the governing body of the county, and in the case of a municipality, the commission, council, board or body, by whatever name it may be known, having charge of the finances of the municipality [;].
k. "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture [;].
l. "Soil and water conservation project" means any project designed for the control and prevention of soil erosion and sediment damages, the control of pollution on agricultural lands, the impoundment, storage and management of water for agricultural purposes, or the improved management of land and soils to achieve maximum agricultural productivity [;].
m. "Soil conservation district" means a governmental subdivision of this State organized in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 4:24-1 et seq. [;].
n. "Agricultural deed restrictions for farmland preservation purposes" means a statement containing the conditions of the conveyance and the terms of the restrictions set forth in P.L. 1983, c. 32 and as additionally determined by the committee on the use and the development of the land which shall be recorded with the deed in the same manner as originally recorded.
(cf: P.L.1988, c.4, s.1)
3. (New section) No marijuana may be cultivated or produced on preserved farmland. For the purposes of this section, "preserved farmland" means land on which a development easement was conveyed to, or retained by, the State Agriculture Development
Committee, a county agriculture development board, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization pursuant to the provisions of section 24 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-31), section 5 of P.L.1988, c.4 (C.4:1C-31.1), section 1 of P.L.1989, c.28 (C.4:1C-38), section 1 of P.L.1999, c.180 (C.4:1C-43.1), sections 37 through 40 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37 through C.13:8C-40), or any other State law enacted for farmland preservation purposes.
4. Section 3 of P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.3) is amended to read as follows:
3. Land shall be deemed to be in agricultural use when devoted to the production for sale of plants and animals useful to man, including but not limited to: forages and sod crops; grains and feed crops; dairy animals and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules or goats, including the breeding, boarding, raising, rehabilitating, training or grazing of any or all of such animals, except that "livestock" shall not include dogs; bees and apiary products; fur animals; trees and forest products; or when devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to a soil conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the federal government, except that land which is devoted exclusively to the production for sale of tree and forest products, other than Christmas trees, or devoted as sustainable forestland, and is not appurtenant woodland, shall not be deemed to be in agricultural use unless the landowner fulfills the following additional conditions:
a. The landowner establishes and complies with the provisions of a forest stewardship plan for this land, approved by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-31), or a woodland management plan for this land, prepared in accordance with policies, guidelines and practices approved by the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the Dean of Cook College at Rutgers, The State University, which policies, guidelines and practices are designed to eliminate excessive and unnecessary cutting;
b. The landowner, and a forester from a list of foresters approved by the Department of Environmental Protection or other professional from a list of other professionals authorized by the department in consultation with the forest stewardship advisory committee established pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-36), annually attest to compliance with subsection a. of this section; and
c. The landowner annually submits an application, as prescribed in section 13 of P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.13), to the assessor, accompanied by a copy of the plan established pursuant to subsection a. of this section; written documentation of compliance with subsection b. of this section; a supplementary woodland data form setting forth woodland management actions taken in the pre-tax year, the type and quantity of tree and forest products sold, and the amount of income received or anticipated for same; a map of the land showing the location of the activity and the soil group classes of the land; and other pertinent information required by the Director of the Division of Taxation as part of the application for valuation, assessment and taxation, as provided in P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.1 et seq.). The landowner shall, at the same time, submit to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection an exact copy of the application and accompanying information submitted to the assessor pursuant to this subsection. For the purposes of this amendatory and supplementary act, "appurtenant woodland" means a wooded piece of property which is contiguous to, part of, or beneficial to a tract of land, which tract of land has a minimum area of at least five acres devoted to agricultural or horticultural uses other than the production for sale of trees and forest products, exclusive of Christmas trees, to which tract of land the woodland is supportive and subordinate.
For the purposes of section 7 of P.L.2009, c.213 and P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.1 et seq.):
(1) agricultural use shall also include biomass, solar, or wind energy generation, provided that the biomass, solar, or wind energy generation is consistent with the provisions of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4 et al.), as applicable, and the rules and regulations adopted therefor; and
(2) "biomass" means an agricultural crop, crop residue, or agricultural byproduct that is cultivated, harvested, or produced on the farm, or directly obtained from a farm where it was cultivated, harvested, or produced, and which can be used to generate energy in a sustainable manner, except with respect to preserved farmland, "biomass" means the same as that term is defined in section 1 of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4).
For the purposes of this section and P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.1 et seq.), agricultural use shall not include the cultivation or production of marijuana, including but not limited to, marijuana for medical use regulated pursuant to P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2009, c.256, s.13)
5. Section 4 of P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.4) is amended to read as follows:
4. Land shall be deemed to be in horticultural use when devoted to the production for sale of fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts and berries; vegetables; nursery, floral, ornamental and greenhouse products; or when devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to a soil conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the Federal Government.
For the purposes of this section and P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4-23.1 et seq.):
(1) horticultural use shall also include biomass, solar, or wind energy generation, provided that the biomass, solar, or wind energy generation is consistent with the provisions of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4 et al.), as applicable, and the rules and regulations adopted therefor; [and]
(2) "biomass" means an agricultural crop, crop residue, or agricultural byproduct that is cultivated, harvested, or produced on the farm, or directly obtained from a farm where it was cultivated, harvested, or produced, and which can be used to generate energy in a sustainable manner, except with respect to preserved farmland, "biomass" means the same as that term is defined in section 1 of P.L.2009, c.213 (C.4:1C-32.4) ; and
(3) horticultural use shall not include the cultivation or production of marijuana, including but not limited to marijuana for medical use regulated pursuant to P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2009, c.213, s.8)
6. This act shall take effect on January 1 next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the cultivation or production of marijuana, including but not limited to medical marijuana, on preserved farmland. The bill further provides that no land, whether preserved farmland or not, used for that purpose would be eligible for farmland assessment. The bill specifies that the cultivation or production of marijuana is not an agricultural or horticultural use under the "Right to Farm Act," the "Agriculture Retention and Development Act" and related farmland preservation laws, or the "Farmland Assessment Act."
