New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A4994: Aquaculture-modify definition, include construction of facilities & structures
Status: Passed one chamber, September 28, 2026
Modifies definition of "aquaculture" throughout State law to include construction of facilities and appurtenant structures.
What the bill says
An Act concerning aquaculture and amending various parts of the statutory law.
From the introduced text, May 8, 2026:
An Act concerning aquaculture and amending various parts of the statutory law. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 3 of P.L.1997, c.236 (C.4:27-3) is amended to read as follows: 3. As used in sections 1 through 24 of [this act] [ADDED: P.L.1997, c.236 (C.4:27-1 et al.)] : "Aquaculture" means the propagation, rearing, and subsequent harvesting of aquatic organisms in controlled or selected environments, and the subsequent processing, packaging and marketing, and shall include, but need not be limited to, activities to intervene in the rearing process to increase production such as stocking, feeding, transplanting and providing for protection from predators. "Aquaculture" shall [not] include the construction of facilities and appurtenant structures that might otherwise be regulated pursuant to any State or federal law or regulation. "Aquaculture Development Plan" means the plan prepared by the Aquaculture Development Task Force, established pursuant to Executive Order No. 104 (1993). "Aquaculturist" means a person engaging in aquaculture. "Aquatic organism" means and includes, but need not be limited to, finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants which are the property of a person engaged in aquaculture. "Council" means the Aquaculture Advisory Council established pursuant to section 5 of [this act] [ADDED: P.L.1997, c.236 (C.4:27-1 et al.)] . "Office" means the Office of Aquaculture Coordination established …
Sponsors
- Maureen Rowan (D, 2) · primary sponsor
- Alex Sauickie (R, 12) · primary sponsor
- Andrea Katz (D, 8) · primary sponsor
- Clinton Calabrese (D, 36)
- Dawn Fantasia (R, 24)
- Victoria A. Flynn (R, 13)
- Paul Kanitra (R, 10)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
- Michael Inganamort (R, 24)
- Heather Simmons (D, 3)
Latest actions
- : R/S REF SEN
- : PA (73-0-0)
- : REP 2RA
- : INT 1RA REF AAN
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Aquaculture-modify definition, include construction of facilities & structures (September 24, 2026): 73 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee: Reported favorably (September 17, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ENVIRONMENT
Common questions
- What is A4994?
- A4994 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Aquaculture-modify definition, include construction of facilities & structures.
- What does A4994 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning aquaculture and amending various parts of the statutory law.
- What is the status of A4994?
- Passed one chamber as of September 28, 2026. Latest action: R/S REF SEN (September 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored A4994?
- Maureen Rowan (D, 2), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A4994?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4994
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.