Bill Text: NJ AJR110 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-11-18 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [AJR110 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AJR110-Introduced.html
No. 110
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 18, 2013
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating one week each year as "Pollinator Week."
Whereas, Pollinator species, such as birds, bees, bats, and butterflies, are essential partners of farmers in producing much of our food supply throughout the country and here in the Garden State; and
Whereas, The success of many of New Jersey's most popular and economically important crops, such as blueberries, apples, cranberries, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, are dependent upon pollinators; and
Whereas, The maintenance of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems depends upon the significant environmental benefits provided by pollinator species; and
Whereas, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of our State and national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources, and recreational and economic development opportunities for communities; and
Whereas, New Jersey's State Insect, the domesticated honey bee, Apis mellifera, is a key contributor to pollination in the State; and
Whereas, Through the cooperative efforts of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, and Rutgers, the State University, 2,000 new beekeepers have been trained since 2006, helping to cultivate one of our State's important pollinator species; and
Whereas, The benefits that native pollinator species provide to New Jersey, whether agricultural, environmental, recreational, or economic, have been documented through extensive research at Rutgers, the State University, and other institutions of higher learning; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to demonstrate its support for the cultivation of pollinators so that these remarkable contributors to our State may continue to flourish and provide us with abounding benefits; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. One week each year shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" which shall fall on the dates designated in the annual proclamation of "National Pollinator Week" by the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, except that if the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency, fails to make such a proclamation then the week beginning on the third Monday in June shall be designated as "Pollinator Week" in this State.
b. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates one week each year as "Pollinator Week." The week will fall on the dates designated in the annual proclamation of "National Pollinator Week" by the United States Department of Agriculture, or such other appropriate federal agency. If no such proclamation occurs then the week beginning on the third Monday in June will be celebrated that year as "Pollinator Week" in the State.
