A2775

An Act concerning wineries on preserved farmland and amending P.L.2018, c.30.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L.2018, c.30 (C.4:1C-32.12) is amended to read as follows:

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 6 of P.L.2014, c.16 to the contrary, sections 1 through 5 of P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 through C.4:1C-32.11) shall be and remain in effect [for two years] following the effective date of [this act] P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) or May 30, 2020, whichever date is later, and , if appropriate, shall be retroactive to [March 1, 2018] May 30, 2020.

(cf: P.L.2018, c.30, s.1)

2. Section 2 of P.L.2018, c.30 (C.4:1C-32.13) is amended to read as follows:

2. a. Each county agriculture development board shall prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), an annual report. Each annual report shall include findings that summarize the activities of wineries on preserved farmland in the county of the board's jurisdiction and make recommendations for the pilot program established pursuant to P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.).

b. The State Agriculture Development Committee shall prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1) [:

(1) an interim report, within 30 days after the effective date of this act; and

(2) a final report, at least 45 days before the expiration of the pilot program established pursuant to P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.) and extended pursuant to this act] a biennial report.

c. [The interim and final reports] Each biennial report required pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall review the implementation and operation of the pilot program established pursuant to P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.), summarize the findings and recommendations of the annual reports prepared pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature to amend [, extend,] or make permanent the program.

(cf: P.L.2018, c.30, s.2.)

3. This act shall take effect immediately, but shall remain inoperative until May 30, 2020.

STATEMENT

This bill amends current law to continue the pilot program allowing special occasion events to be conducted at wineries on preserved farmland and require periodic reports.

The pilot program was created by P.L.2014, c.16 (C.4:1C-32.7 et seq.). It was established to last for 44 months and was set to expire on March 1, 2018. The original enactment did not contain reporting requirements. The program was extended for two additional years by the enactment of P.L.2018, c.30. The 2018 enactment was effective on May 30, 2018 and was made retroactive to March 1, 2018 to cover the gap period.

The 2018 enactment also implemented reporting requirements. Under its provisions:

(1) County agricultural development boards (CADB) are required to submit annual reports which include findings that summarize the activities of wineries on preserved farmland in the county of the board's jurisdiction and make recommendations for the pilot program; and

(2) The State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) is required to submit interim and final reports that review the implementation and operation of the pilot program, summarize the findings and recommendations of the annual reports prepared by the CADBs, and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.

This bill continues the pilot program beyond its May 30, 2020 expiration and does not set an expiration date. Under the provisions of the bill, the CADBs would submit annual reports and the SADC would submit biennial reports. The bill also will be retroactive, if appropriate, to May 30, 2020.