ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1584

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2021

 

      The Assembly Agriculture Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1584.

      This bill would require a plant nursery to make available to its customers a brochure, developed by the Department of Agriculture, describing the benefits of native plant species and the problems associated with invasive plant species.

      A nursery would satisfy the requirement of this bill either by making print copies of the brochure available in a conspicuous location at the point of sale or by posting a sign developed by the Department of Agriculture in a conspicuous location at the point of sale.  The sign would read, in at least 14-point font: “DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE LANDSCAPING CHOICES?  Some plants, although legal to buy and sell, may have negative effects on New Jersey’s native wildlife and ecosystems.  For more information about plants that are beneficial to New Jersey wildlife and habitat, as well as invasive exotic plants, please visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s website at (insert appropriate Internet website address).”

      The Department of Agriculture would be required to develop the brochure and the sign, and make those materials available in downloadable, printable format on its Internet website no later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill.  A nursery would not be required to comply with the provisions of the bill until the department has published these materials on its Internet website.  This bill is based on substantially similar legislation in Texas. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.