Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes tiered-preference system for purchase of agricultural products by school districts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a tiered-preference system for the purchase of agricultural products by school districts, and supplementing chapter 18A of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Public School Contracts Law," N.J.S.18A:18A-1 et seq., or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a school district that contracts for the supply of agricultural products shall give preference to such products grown, produced, or processed in the county where the school district is located, if the cost to the school district and the quality of the products are equal to such products grown, produced, or processed elsewhere. If the agricultural products grown, produced, or processed in the county where the school district is located are not equal in cost and quality to such products from elsewhere, the school district shall give preference to agricultural products grown, produced, or processed in New Jersey, if the cost to the school district and the quality of the products are equal to such products grown, produced, or processed outside of New Jersey.
As used in this section, "agricultural products" includes fruits, vegetables, horticultural products, dairy, eggs, livestock, poultry, fish and other seafood.
2. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act in conformance with any applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations, and shall monitor compliance with the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would establish a tiered-preference system for the purchase of agricultural products by school districts.
Specifically, when contracting for the supply of agricultural products, school districts would have to give preference to products grown, produced, or processed in the county where the school district is located, if the cost and quality of those products are equal to such products grown, produced, or processed elsewhere. If the agricultural products grown, produced, or processed in the county are not equal in cost and quality to such products from elsewhere, the school district would have to give preference to products grown, produced, or processed in New Jersey, if the cost and quality of those products are equal to products grown, produced, or processed outside of New Jersey. Products grown, produced, or processed outside the State would not receive a preference.
The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, would be responsible for adopting rules to implement the provisions of this act, and for monitoring compliance by schools.