ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5504

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. 5504.

      As amended, this bill changes the membership of the Aquaculture Advisory Council (council).  Under the bill, the council’s membership is increased from 13 to 18 total members, including 15 voting and three non-voting members.  The bill stipulates that seven members, or their designees, shall serve as ex-officio voting members, three members, or their designees, shall serve as ex-officio non-voting members, and eight members, who are residents of the State and with experience in the aquaculture industry, shall serve as voting public members. The bill stipulates that the term of office for each public member would be three years.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments to the bill stipulate that the term of office for each public member would be three years.