SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1021

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 13, 1996

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1021.

      Senate Bill No. 1021 approves certain farmland preservation projects in northern counties of the State as eligible for funding from the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992," P.L.1992, c.88, and from the "Open Space Preservation Bond Act of 1989," P.L.1989, c.183. The funds for these projects are appropriated and reappropriated by a companion bill to (1) provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80% of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland; and (2) for up to 100% of the cost of acquisition of development easements under such emergency conditions as the State Agriculture Development Committee determines.

      As reported, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 1775 (1R) of 1996.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill lists approved farmland preservation projects in the northern counties of the state that will be funded by $19 million in bond monies appropriated and reappropriated in a companion bill.