ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3353

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 20, 2025

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3353 (1R).

      This bill amends and supplements the “Right to Farm Act” to allow housing for resident farm employees on a commercial farm to be a permissible activity and eligible for protections under the “Right to Farm Act.”

      The bill directs the State Agriculture Development Committee to adopt an agricultural management practice that permits the housing of resident farm employees.  The bill defines “resident farm employee” as a person employed by the owner or operator of a commercial farm to engage in agricultural production activities on a full-time basis on the commercial farm.  The term does not include a full-time, year-round equine-related farm employee, the owner of the farm, or any lineal descendant of the owner.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3353 (1R) is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4501, which was amended and reported by the committee on this date.