Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee Statement to Assembly, No. 5357 (March 6, 2025)

Summary

Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee statement to the State of New Jersey Assembly on Assembly Bill No. 5357, dated March 6, 2025, reporting the bill favorably and with committee amendments. As amended, the bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to create a farm pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer collection and disposal program, with voluntary participation by commercial farms. It would require at least two collection events per year in each collection site and take effect on the 180th day after enactment. The committee amendments expand the program to include herbicides and fertilizers and require an annual report.

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ASSEMBLY COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
           AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

                           STATEMENT TO

                      ASSEMBLY, No. 5357
                          with committee amendments



       STATE OF NEW JERSEY
                            DATED: MARCH 6, 2025

          The Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and
      Agriculture Committee reports favorably and with committee
      amendments Assembly Bill No. 5357.
          This bill, as amended by the committee, would direct the
      Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with
      the Department of Agriculture, to create a farm pesticide, herbicide,
      and fertilizer collection and disposal program to collect, transport, and
      dispose of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers held or owned by
      commercial farms. Participation in the program by commercial farms
      would be voluntary.
          In implementing the program, the DEP would: (1) strategically
      place collection sites in diverse regions of the State; (2) offer at least
      two collection events per year in each collection site; (3) contract with,
      and provide oversight of, entities qualified to safely collect and
      dispose of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and their containers;
      and (4) appoint local agents or representatives to inventory pesticides,
      herbicides, and fertilizers, and their containers collected and disposed
      of or recycled through the program. The DEP would also be required
      to develop and publish an annual report that provides information
      about the program.
          The Department of Agriculture, acting in consultation with the
      DEP, would establish a cooperative public education and awareness
      campaign to inform farmers about: (1) the location of collection sites,
      and dates of upcoming collection events; (2) the types of pesticides,
      herbicides, and fertilizers and their containers accepted under the
      program; (3) the benefits of the program for farmers; and (4) the
      environmental benefits of the program. This information would be
      posted on the Department of Agriculture’s Internet website and would
      be updated as necessary. The bill would take effect on the 180th day
      after the date of enactment.
                                 2

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
    The committee amendments to the bill:
    (1) expand the scope of the program to include herbicides and
fertilizers, in addition to pesticides; and
    (2) require the DEP to submit an annual report about the program
to the Governor and the Legislature.


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