This bill amends existing New Jersey law regarding the definitions and permissible activities related to commercial farms and their employees. Key definitions are updated, including the criteria for what constitutes a "commercial farm," which now includes specific thresholds for agricultural production and introduces terms related to shellfish aquaculture, such as "shellfish commercial farm" and "shellfish farm market." The bill also clarifies the roles of various employees on commercial farms, distinguishing between "full-time, year-round equine-related farm employees" and "resident farm employees," and specifies that the latter cannot include the farm owner or their direct descendants.

Additionally, the bill establishes new provisions for the housing of resident farm employees, mandating that the State Agriculture Development Committee adopt agricultural management practices that correlate housing availability with labor needs on the farm. It ensures that municipalities cannot deny occupancy certificates for compliant housing and stipulates that such housing must be exclusively for resident farm employees, who cannot be charged rent. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the operational framework for commercial farms while ensuring compliance with safety and construction standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4:1C-3, 4:1C-9
Advance Law: 4:1C-3, 4:1C-9
Pamphlet Law: 4:1C-3, 4:1C-9