New JerseyNew Jersey bill would grow the Aquaculture Advisory Council from 13 to 18 members
If it becomes law, New Jersey's advisory council on shellfish and fish farming would grow to 18 members, with more seats for farmers and a changed list of state officials.
What it does
The council that advises the state on aquaculture would grow from 13 to 18 members, with a changed list of state officials, 15 of them voting.
Eight public voting members would be chosen, six of them aquaculture industry members including clam and oyster farmers, plus two picked by the Governor.
Argument forNaming clam farmers, oyster farmers, and hatchery interests as seats could give working aquaculture businesses a stronger voice in state advice on rules and policies.
Argument againstA larger council with more seats set aside for industry may be harder to schedule and could give industry interests more weight than other public concerns.
More detail
The Aquaculture Advisory Council, which advises the Department of Agriculture, would have 18 members: 15 voting and three non-voting. The voting group would be seven state officials plus eight public members. The three non-voting members would be a Health Department shellfish project coordinator and two Environmental Protection assistant commissioners. The ex-officio list is changed. For example, the Assistant Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and the Sea Grant Extension Service director would be added. The act would take effect immediately.
Eight resident public members would vote on the council: three aquaculture industry members chosen by the Senate President, three by the Assembly Speaker, and two by the Governor. Each legislative leader's picks include a clam farmer, an oyster farmer, and a nursery, hatchery, or other aquaculture representative. The Governor picks one member of the public and one academic expert in aquaculture. Public members serve three-year terms.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 28Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth CommitteeLatest
- Sep 24Passed by the Assembly (73-0-0)Passed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Sep 17Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Reported out of Assembly committee with amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Sep 10Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources CommitteeIntroduced
AgricultureGovernment & Ethics