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Bill > A2859

NJ A2859

NJ A2859
Authorizes sale and lease of unneeded public property to certain nonprofits for gardening and urban farming and exempts such urban farms from property taxation.

summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/01/2011

Introduced Session

2010-2011 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would encourage nonprofit corporations and associations to help transform vacant properties located in older urban areas into vibrant fields of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables. Too often, these older municipalities accumulate parcels of property that they cannot sell. Existing provisions of law authorize municipalities and counties to lease or sell public property not needed for a public use to nonprofit entities for them to perform specified laudatory public purposes thereon. This bill would add the cultivation and sale of fresh fruits and vegetables to the list of purposes for which local units may lease or sell public land for nominal consideration. The bill would also authorize local units to sell land to nonprofit entities for the provision of gardening services to the general public. Current law allows for the long-term lease of excess public land, but not the sale thereof, to nonprofits for gardening purpose. Recognizing that the transformation of excess vacant public lands into vibrant urban farms is a public purpose, the bill would afford these lands exemptions from property taxation.

AI Summary

This bill authorizes local governments to sell or lease unneeded public property, particularly vacant lots in older urban areas, to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of urban farming and gardening, allowing these nonprofits to cultivate and sell fresh fruits and vegetables. The bill also exempts these urban farms from property taxation, recognizing their contribution to community well-being by providing recreational opportunities and access to healthy food, especially in areas lacking full-service supermarkets. This initiative aims to transform underutilized land into productive community assets, addressing issues like blight and food insecurity.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (28)

Last Action

Approved P.L.2011, c.35. (on 03/01/2011)
(1 Companion Bills)

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