New Jersey A 5138: Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department of Agriculture.

Bill Text

A5138 

ASSEMBLY, No. 5138 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

INTRODUCED MAY 28, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes Protective Cropping Board in Department 
of Agriculture. 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As introduced.

�� 

An Act concerning protective cropping and supplementing Title 
4 of the Revised Statutes.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� As used in this act:

���� �Board� means the �Protective 
Cropping Board� established pursuant to section 2 of this act.

���� �Department� means the 
Department of Agriculture.

���� �Protective cropping� means 
the modification of growing conditions for crops.� �Protective cropping� 
includes, but is not limited to, vertical farming and the practice of growing 
crops within, under, or sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of 
protecting the crops from pests, disease, or adverse weather.

���� �Secretary� means the 
Secretary of Agriculture.

���� �Vertical farming� means the 
practice of growing crops within an artificial structure, in horizontally and 
vertically stacked layers, using artificial growing systems including, but not 
limited to, hydroponics or aquaponics.

���� 2.� a.� (1)���� There is 
established in the Department of Agriculture the �Protective Cropping Board.�

���� (2)� The board shall consist 
of five members, appointed by the secretary.� Members of the board shall serve 
at the pleasure of the secretary.

���� (3)� Members of the board 
shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this act.

���� (4)� The department shall 
provide primary staff support to the commission.

���� b.��� The duties of the board 
shall be to:

���� (1)�� research and investigate 
the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State; 

���� (2)�� develop and recommend to 
the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State; 
and

���� (3) conduct such other 
activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines 
necessary.

���� c.���� The secretary shall 
ensure that the department executes the recommendations of the board.

���� 3.��� This act shall take 
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill establishes the 
�Protective Cropping Board� in the Department of Agriculture.� The bill defines 
�protective cropping� to mean the modification of growing conditions for 
crops.� Under the bill, �protective cropping� includes, but is not limited to, 
the practice of vertical farming as well as growing crops within, under, or 
sheltered by artificial structures for the purpose of protecting the crops from 
pests, disease, or adverse weather.

���� There are a number of benefits 
to the practice of protective cropping, including:

���� (1)�� year-round production�by 
controlling temperature and light, growers can produce fruits, vegetables, and 
flowers regardless of the natural season;

���� (2)�� climate resilience�structures 
protect crops from extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, frost, and harsh 
winds, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change;

���� (3)�� enhanced yield and 
quality�controlled environments often lead to higher productivity per unit of 
area and more consistent produce quality in terms of size, firmness, and 
flavor;

���� (4)�� reduced chemical use�enclosed 
environments act as a physical barrier against pests and diseases, minimizing 
the need for chemical pesticides; 

���� (5)�� resource efficiency�these 
systems often utilize advanced irrigation and "quad-generation" 
(simultaneous production of heat, cooling, electricity, and captured carbon 
dioxide) to maximize energy and water efficiency; and

���� (6)�� disease-free transplants�the 
controlled setting is ideal for producing healthy, uniform, and disease-free 
plant material for further cultivation.

���� The bill stipulates that the 
board is to consist of five members, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure 
of, the Secretary of Agriculture.

���� The board is required to:

���� (1)�� research and investigate 
the practice of protective cropping and how it may be implemented in the State; 

���� (2)�� develop and recommend to 
the department policy for the promotion of protective cropping in the State; 
and

���� (3) conduct such other 
activities relating to protective cropping as the secretary determines 
necessary.