ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 5503
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5503.
As amended, this bill would direct the Department of Agriculture (department), in consultation with the Aquaculture Advisory Council (council), the Office of Aquaculture Coordination, the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring within the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health, and any other appropriate State office or agency, to develop and disseminate guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism. The guidance would be required to comply with federal, State, and local regulations on both aquaculture and agritourism. In developing agritourism guidance, the department and council would be directed to provide information on resources which 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 would be directed to publish any guidance on its Internet website, and ensure that a copy of the written guidance is annually sent by electronic mail to each holder of an aquatic farmer license or shellfish dealer certification.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amended the bill to:
(1) explicitly include the Department of Health among the State offices or agencies with which the Department of Agriculture would be required to collaborate when developing and providing guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism practices; and
(2) make a technical change.