ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5357

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 20, 2025

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5357 (1R).

      As reported, this bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to create a farm pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer collection and disposal program to collect, transport, and dispose of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers held or owned by commercial farms.  Participation in the program by commercial farms would be voluntary.

      In implementing the program, the DEP would: (1) strategically place collection sites in diverse regions of the State; (2) offer at least two collection events per year in each collection site; (3) contract with, and provide oversight of, entities qualified to safely collect and dispose of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and their containers; and (4) appoint local agents or representatives to inventory pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and their containers collected and disposed of or recycled through the program.  The DEP would also be required to develop and publish an annual report that provides information about the program.

      The Department of Agriculture, acting in consultation with the DEP, would establish a cooperative public education and awareness campaign to inform farmers about: (1) the location of collection sites, and dates of upcoming collection events; (2) the types of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers and their containers accepted under the program; (3) the benefits of the program for farmers; and (4) the environmental benefits of the program.  This information would be posted on the Department of Agriculture’s Internet website and would be updated as necessary. The bill would take effect on the 180th day after the date of enactment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services estimates that this bill would involve up to $500,000 in annual State expenditures for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Protection to establish the farm pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer collection and disposal program for commercial farm waste.  This estimate anticipates the need for a maximum of two additional full-time equivalent employees and up to $250,000 in costs to hire contractors to collect and recycle the farm waste.

      Municipalities may also experience an indeterminate increase in annual expenditures as local agents are to be appointed to inventory specified farm products.