LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[Second Reprint]

SENATE, No. 216

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

DATED: JULY 25, 2025

SUMMARY

Synopsis:	Directs Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote State aquaculture products through Jersey Fresh Program; establishes annual $25,000 appropriation.
Type of Impact:	Annual State expenditure increase.
Agencies Affected:	Department of Agriculture.

Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact	Annual
State Expenditure Increase	Up to $25,000

· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) determines that the bill will result in an annual expenditure increase by the Department of Agriculture of up to $25,000 to support aquaculture product promotion under the Jersey Fresh Program. The department would receive an annual appropriation through the General Fund to advertise aquaculture products.

· The Department of Agriculture may incur one-time administrative costs to develop and implement a new quality grading system for aquaculture products; however, the OLS determines that these costs could likely be subsumed within existing staff duties. 

BILL DESCRIPTION

      This bill expands the Jersey Fresh Program to include the promotion of aquaculture products, such as fish and shellfish raised through aquaculture in New Jersey, that meet quality standards set by the Department of Agriculture. It requires the department to develop a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, separate from the one used for wild-caught seafood, and consistent with the grading system used for other agricultural commodities under the program. The bill also provides an annual appropriation of $25,000 from the General Fund to the department to support the advertisement and promotion of aquaculture products through the Jersey Fresh Program.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

      None received.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

      The OLS determines that this bill will result in an annual increase in State expenditures of up to $25,000, due to the required appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of advertising and promoting aquaculture products through the Jersey Fresh Program.  In addition to this ongoing cost, the bill directs the department to develop and implement a quality grading system specific to aquaculture products. This requirement may result in one-time administrative and operational costs related to system development, staff training, and stakeholder outreach. The bill does not include a separate appropriation for these activities, and the extent of these potential costs is currently indeterminate. However, the OLS determines that these costs could likely be subsumed within existing staff duties.

Section:	Environment, Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources
Analyst:	Neha Patel Senior 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.).