NJ A4060

Prohibits local approving authorities from scheduling hearings, convening meetings, or voting on applications for speculative warehouse development on active farmland until the State Agriculture Development Committee catalogs 500,000 acres of preserved farmland under farmland preservation programs.

Defines "speculative development" as warehouse construction without a contractual commitment from a tenant or buyer, and "active farmland" as land used for agricultural purposes as of the bill's enactment date.

Provides an exception allowing warehouse applications to proceed if the applicant commits to preserving an equal number of farmland acres in the State as proposed for development.

Requires the State Agriculture Development Committee to report to the Governor and Legislature upon reaching the 500,000-acre preservation threshold, at which point the bill expires.

Notes that as of January 2023, only 248,009 acres of farmland have been preserved under these programs, compared to the 500,000-acre goal recommended by the Governor's Council on New Jersey Outdoors in 1998.