ASSEMBLY, No. 5503
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MAUREEN ROWAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblywoman MARGIE DONLON, M.D.
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman CLINTON CALABRESE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Kanitra, Assemblywomen Simmons and Brennan
SYNOPSIS
Requires Department of Agriculture to develop guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on September 17, 2026, with amendments.
An Act concerning shellfish aquaculture agritourism and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Aquaculture Advisory Council, the Office of Aquaculture Coordination, the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring within the Department of Environmental Protection, 1the Department of Health,1 and any other appropriate State office or agency, shall develop and provide guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism practices for use by aquatic farmers and shellfish dealers. The guidance required pursuant to this subsection shall comply with the applicable federal, State, and local regulations concerning aquaculture and agritourism.
b. The agritourism guidance issued by the department 1[and council]1, pursuant to subsection a. of 1[section 1 of this act] this section1, shall provide information on resources which support the shellfish aquaculture agritourism industry, which may include, but not be limited to:
(1) meeting applicable farming and food safety requirements;
(2) diversifying species grown;
(3) conforming with handling requirements at harvest;
(4) providing in-person experiences of shellfish farming;
(5) improving access to agritourism markets;
(6) developing the aquaculture workforce;
(7) financing aquaculture agritourism; and
(8) navigating the federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations that impact the agritourism and aquaculture industries in New Jersey.
2. The Department of Agriculture shall publish any guidance developed pursuant to section 1 of this act on its Internet website and shall ensure that a copy of the written guidance is annually sent by electronic mail to each holder of a shellfish dealer certification or an aquatic farmer license under the “New Jersey Aquaculture Development Act,” P.L.1997, c.236 (C.4:27-1 et al.).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.