Bill > A145

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits harassing, bothering, or otherwise interfering with a farmer engaged in farming operations for the purpose of hindering or preventing the lawful farming of agricultural products. For the purposes of this bill, agricultural products include, but are not limited to, crops, dairy animals, livestock, fur-bearing animals, poultry, bees, aquacultural products, trees, and forest products. A person who harasses a farmer would be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, the penalty for which is imprisonment for up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, or both imprisonment and a fine. For a second or subsequent offense, the violator would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both imprisonment and a fine. A violator would also be subject to a civil penalty of between $250 and $500 for each violation. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues would constitute a separate offense. The Secretary of Agriculture would be authorized to seek injunctive and other relief against a violator. The bill also provides that a person who is adversely affected by a violation would be able to bring a civil action for injunctive and other relief as well as for damages, including punitive damages and special damages, against the violator. Special damages would include, but need not be limited to, lost profits and the cost of damages to farmland, supplies, equipment, and agricultural products caused by the activities of the violator.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Harold Wirths (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee (on 01/11/2022)

Official Document