ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4047

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 9, 2026

      The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4047.

      As amended, this bill would exempt shellfish aquaculturists who engage in structural aquaculture to use predator screening systems to containerize and protect shellfish to .

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1) allow a shellfish aquaculturist who engages in structural aquaculture to use predator screening systems to containerize and protect shellfish;

      (2) remove the term “aquacultured shellfish” from the bill; and

      (3) remove the provision that would exempt clam aquaculturists who hold a commercial shellfish aquaculture permit from the State law that prohibits the taking of clams on Sunday.