LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2458

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

DATED: SEPTEMBER 2, 2025

SUMMARY

Synopsis:	Directs Department of Agriculture to establish “Urban Gardening Pilot Program”; appropriates $100,000.
Type of Impact:	State expenditure increase and potential local revenue and expenditure increases over three years.
Agencies Affected:	Department of Agriculture.  Municipalities.

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact	Three-Year Duration of Pilot Program
State Expenditure Increase	Up to $400,000
Potential Local Revenue Increase	Up to $95,000
Potential Local Expenditure Increase	Up to $95,000

· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates this bill would increase State expenditures by up to $400,000 over three years for the Urban Gardening Pilot Program.   

· The bill appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Agriculture to provide grants to three qualified applicants, which may be municipalities or nonprofit organizations.  The bill authorizes the department to retain five percent of the appropriated amount for administrative costs.

· To the extent that grants are provided to municipalities, there would be an increase in local revenues and expenditures.

· The OLS estimates the department may incur additional staffing costs of up to $100,000 annually in each of the three years of the pilot program.

BILL DESCRIPTION

      This bill would establish the Urban Gardening Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture.  The bill would provide grants to three applicants, which would be municipalities or nonprofit organizations, to establish urban gardens in low-income areas of the State.  Grant awards would be up to $35,000 each, which the grantees would utilize for each urban garden for the duration of the three-year program. 

      Within three years of the effective date of the bill, the Department of Agriculture would be required to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the activities and findings of the program.  The report would enumerate recommendations for legislative action, including whether or not to make the program permanent.

      To effectuate the pilot program, this bill would appropriate $100,000 from the State General Fund to the Department of Agriculture.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

      None received.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

      The OLS estimates this bill would increase State expenditures by up to $400,000 over three years for the Urban Gardening Pilot Program.

      The bill appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Agriculture to provide grants to three qualified applicants, which may be municipalities or nonprofit organizations.  The bill authorizes the department to retain five percent of the appropriated amount for administrative costs.  The OLS assumes the department will retain the $5,000 for administrative costs, leaving $95,000 for the provision of grants.  The OLS cannot predict whether the grants will be awarded to only municipalities, only nonprofit organizations, or both.  To the extent that grants are provided to municipalities, there would be an increase in local revenues and expenditures.

      The OLS estimates the department may incur additional staffing costs of up to $100,000 annually in each of the three years of the pilot program.  These expenditures would result from the department review of pilot program applications, oversight of the program during its three years, and preparation of a written report of the program’s effectiveness and recommended legislative changes.  

      For reference only, the OLS notes that similar urban agriculture programs have been funded in other states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Section:	Environment, Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources
Analyst:	Anna Heckler Assistant Fiscal Analyst
Approved:	Thomas Koenig Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).