Bill
Bill > A6108
NJ A6108
NJ A6108Exempts from realty transfer fee recording of deed of preserved farmland to qualified beginning farmer.
summary
Introduced
11/24/2025
11/24/2025
In Committee
11/24/2025
11/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that preserved farmland purchased by a qualified beginning farmer would not be subject to the realty transfer fee. Under this bill, the fee would not apply when preserved farmland is acquired by a person who possesses a written certification issued by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to the bill demonstrating that the person qualifies as a qualified beginning farmer. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a procedure to certify in writing a person as a qualified beginning farmer. The realty transfer fee (fee), established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15-5 et seq.), applies to sales and transfers of interests in real property and is imposed upon the recording of deeds evidencing transfers of title to real property in the State. Current law provides a number of full and partial exemptions from the payment of the fee. This bill is similar to a provision contained in the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has established a certification process for qualified beginning farmers. A person who receives this certification is exempt from the realty transfer fee when purchasing a preserved farm. New Jersey has long committed to preserving farmland, however New Jersey cannot rest on the success of land preservation. The State needs to do much more to preserve farming itself and take further action to preserve its farmers as well. This bill is intended to remove a disincentive for people to take up the vital and historic role of farmer. Currently, the average age of a farmer in the United States is 57.5 years. The national average age has increased by 1.6 percent annually since 1994, on average, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The average age of a New Jersey farmer is 59.7 years, according to the same report.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new exemption from the realty transfer fee (a tax charged when property is transferred) for preserved farmland sold to qualified beginning farmers. The bill defines a "beginning farmer" as someone who has never farmed before, has farmed in New Jersey for 10 years or less, or qualifies as a first-time farmer under federal tax law. The Department of Agriculture will be required to create a certification process for beginning farmers, which will include establishing eligibility criteria, developing an application form, and potentially charging a processing fee up to $100. The bill defines "farming" broadly, including activities like crop cultivation, livestock raising, aquaculture, and forest product production. By providing this fee exemption, the legislation aims to lower financial barriers for new farmers and help address the aging farmer population in New Jersey, where the average farmer is currently 59.7 years old. The bill is similar to a provision in the Pennsylvania Farm Bill and seeks to support agricultural sustainability by making it easier for new farmers to acquire preserved farmland.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee (on 11/24/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6108 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6500/6108_I1.HTM |
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