LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5503

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

DATED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

SUMMARY

Synopsis:	Requires Department of Agriculture to develop guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism.
Type of Impact:	Potential one-time State expenditure increase.
Agencies Affected:	Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Health.

Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Potential One-Time State Expenditure Increase	$0 to $200,000

· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that this bill may result in a one-time increase in State costs of up to $200,000 incurred by the Department of Agriculture from the requirement to develop and disseminate shellfish aquaculture agritourism guidance.  The exact scale of this cost increase will depend upon the scope of the guidance and the extent to which the department will be able to draw on existing federal, state, and other resources.

BILL DESCRIPTION

      This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with any other appropriate State office or agency, to develop and disseminate guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism. 

      The department is directed to provide information on resources that support the shellfish aquaculture agritourism industry in meeting farm and food safety requirements, diversifying species grown, conforming with handling requirements at harvest, providing in-person experiences of shellfish farming, accessing agritourism markets, developing the aquaculture workforce, financing aquaculture agritourism, and navigating the federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations that impact the agritourism and aquaculture industries in New Jersey.

      The department is to publish any guidance on its website and ensure that a copy of the guidance is sent annually by email to each holder of an aquatic farmer license or shellfish dealer certification.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

      None received.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

      The OLS concludes that this bill may result in a one-time increase in State costs of up to $200,000 incurred by the Department of Agriculture from the requirement to develop and disseminate shellfish aquaculture agritourism guidance.  The exact scale of this cost increase will depend upon the scope of the guidance and the extent to which the department will be able to draw on existing federal, state, and other resources.  The OLS observes that substantial shellfish aquaculture regulatory and agritourism guidance exists in the form of federal publications, university resources, and other agricultural agency materials, which may provide a working template for the department. 

Section:	Environment, Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
Analyst:	Anna Heckler Associate 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.).