New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A5503: Shellfish aquaculture agritourism-require Dept of Agriculture develop guidance
Status: Passed one chamber, September 28, 2026
Requires Department of Agriculture to develop guidance on shellfish aquaculture agritourism.
What the bill says
An Act concerning shellfish aquaculture agritourism and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
From the amended text, September 17, 2026:
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, 1 [ADDED: the 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] [ADDED: this section] 1, 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. …
Sponsors
- Maureen Rowan (D, 2) · primary sponsor
- Margie Donlon, M.D. (D, 11) · primary sponsor
- Clinton Calabrese (D, 36) · primary sponsor
- Paul Kanitra (R, 10)
- Heather Simmons (D, 3)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
Latest actions
- : R/S REF SEG
- : PA (73-0-0)
- : REP/ACA 2RA
- : INT 1RA REF AAN
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Shellfish aquaculture agritourism-require Dept of Agriculture develop guidance (September 24, 2026): 73 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee: Reported with committee amendments (Aca) (September 17, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ENVIRONMENT - FISH AND WILDLIFE
Common questions
- What is A5503?
- A5503 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Shellfish aquaculture agritourism-require Dept of Agriculture develop guidance.
- What does A5503 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning shellfish aquaculture agritourism and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
- What is the status of A5503?
- Passed one chamber as of September 28, 2026. Latest action: R/S REF SEG (September 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored A5503?
- Maureen Rowan (D, 2), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A5503?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5503
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.