This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for farmland assessment certification in New Jersey, focusing on improving the processes for tax assessors and landowners. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs to develop certification courses for tax assessors on farmland valuation and assessment within six months of the bill's effective date. Additionally, the Division of Taxation is required to create an online portal for farmland assessment applications within twelve months, allowing taxpayers to apply electronically. The bill also introduces a hotline for reporting farmland assessment fraud and modifies the frequency of on-site inspections, requiring them to occur at least once every two years for properties under 10 acres, thereby enhancing compliance with agricultural laws.

Moreover, the legislation clarifies procedures for assessing farmland and implementing rollback taxes when land is converted to non-agricultural uses. It increases the rollback taxes to cover three tax years prior to the current assessment and introduces civil penalties for gross misrepresentation on applications. The bill aims to streamline the farmland assessment process, enhance oversight, and protect the integrity of agricultural land use in New Jersey, addressing concerns about potential misuse of the farmland assessment program that have persisted for over 60 years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54:4-23.3, 54:4-23.8, 54:4-23.13, 54:4-23.14