Bill

Bill > A1519


NJ A1519

NJ A1519
Directs Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote State aquaculture products through Jersey Fresh Program; establishes annual $25,000 appropriation.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
01/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote aquaculture products as part of the Jersey Fresh Program. The Jersey Fresh Program is the marketing and quality grading program that is currently used, by the department, to advertise and promote the availability of fruit and vegetable agricultural commodities that have been produced in the State and graded for quality. This bill would expand the Jersey Fresh Program to additionally include marketing for fish and shellfish that are produced in the State, or in State waters, through means of aquaculture, and the quality of which complies with standards adopted by the department and is verified thereby through the use of an appropriate quality grading system. The bill would require the department to develop and implement a quality grading system that is specific to the grading of aquaculture products, as distinguished from wild-caught seafood products, which system is to be consistent with, and similar to, the quality grading system that is used, by the department, to grade the quality of other agricultural commodities for the purposes of the Jersey Fresh Program. The bill provides for an annual appropriation of $25,000 to be made in each fiscal year after the bill's effective date, in order to facilitate the ongoing marketing and promotion of aquaculture products under the Jersey Fresh Program. The monies made available under the bill would be in addition to any other monies that may be appropriated or allocated to the Jersey Fresh Program.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the Department of Agriculture, as part of its existing Jersey Fresh Program, which currently promotes fruits and vegetables grown in the state, will now also advertise and promote aquaculture products, meaning fish and shellfish raised in New Jersey or its waters through aquaculture. To support this, the bill establishes a dedicated annual appropriation of $25,000 for the Department of Agriculture, in addition to any other funds allocated to the Jersey Fresh Program, specifically for the marketing and promotion of these aquaculture products. The Department will be required to develop and implement a quality grading system for these aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, that is similar to the grading system already used for other agricultural commodities under the Jersey Fresh Program, ensuring that only products meeting specific quality standards are promoted.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (12)

Last Action

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.201. (on 01/13/2026)

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