Murphy signs bill reforming N.J. farmland assessment program, adding public and forestry seats to panel
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed bipartisan legislation making sweeping changes to New Jersey’s Farmland Assessment Program, including updated revenue thresholds, tougher penalties for misrepresentation and a new online application portal intended to increase transparency and efficiency.
The law — the Farmland and Woodland Tax Assessment Integrity and Investment Act (S3446/A6278) — updates the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964 and requires the State Farmland Evaluation Committee to periodically adjust minimum and anticipated gross sales and income requirements used to determine whether land qualifies as actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use for valuation, assessment and taxation.
“This new legislation will strengthen the Farmland Assessment Program and establish the necessary requirements to ensure fair taxation and environmental protection,” said Governor Murphy. “I thank Jack Curtis for his unwavering dedication to ensuring that New Jersey’s agricultural and horticultural lands are better protected and advocated for. This bill reflects our Administration’s commitment to supporting and preserving the essential agricultural landscape of the Garden State. I’m proud that Jack brought this issue to my attention years ago as a constituent and worked patiently and collaboratively with us to make real change – this is exactly what responsive government is meant to do.”
State officials credited longtime constituent advocacy by Jack Curtis of Mendham, a retired educator, for helping drive the reform effort. Officials said Murphy met with Curtis at the State House in April 2024 and continued working with him for nearly two years on the bill, which passed the Legislature earlier this week. Curtis was also recognized as a special guest at the January 2025 State of the State, officials said.
In August 2025, officials said, the Farmland Evaluation Committee voted to raise the minimum sales threshold to $1,900, taking effect in three years. Officials said the last statutory adjustment to the minimum revenue threshold was set in 2013 at $1,000.
The new law also strengthens enforcement by raising penalties for misrepresentation on farmland assessment applications and establishes an online application portal. State officials said the Division of Taxation has announced the portal is set to launch this year for assessment in Tax Year 2027. The law also requires the Farmland Evaluation Committee to submit annual reports on the program’s efficiency to the governor, Legislature and State Board of Agriculture.
During the signing, officials said, Murphy told Curtis live on the air that he has nominated him to serve in a role on the Farmland Evaluation Committee. The bill adds three new members to the committee: a member of the public, the state forester, and a forester selected from a list of approved consulting foresters maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection.
“The bill takes further steps to improve the integrity of the Farmland Assessment program by adding forestry expertise to the Evaluation Committee,” said Ed Wengryn, Secretary of Agriculture. “The bill also calls for additional reporting that will improve the transparency of the program.”
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Murphy, his administration, Director of Taxation Marita Sciarrotta, and bipartisan legislators like Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Anthony Bucco, and Assemblyman William Spearman for enacting the Farmland and Woodland Tax Assessment Integrity and Investment Act,” said Jack Curtis, a retired educator who was a special guest at the last State of the State. “This bill is a helpful step towards making sure that the farmland assessment benefits real farmers, and it builds on other efforts like an increased sales threshold and online filing system. I’m proud to advocate for accountability and appreciate how seriously the Governor takes constituent services.”
Sponsors of the legislation include Sens. Joseph Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco and Assemblyman William Spearman.
“The farmland assessment program is an essential tool that preserves open spaces and safeguards our water and food supplies. I wholeheartedly support the mission of this program, but the existence of more than 37,000 assessed properties raises serious questions about the program’s integrity. With the Governor’s signature, strengthening oversight will help ensure the rules are enforced properly and provide transparency for taxpayers,” said Senator Joseph Pennacchio.
“The public has a right to know if the system is being gamed. This legislation, now signed into law, examines whether farm activity justifies the tax benefits being claimed and assesses the impact those benefits have on surrounding communities. Our goal is to ensure the program remains true to its original intent and is protected from abuse,” said Senator Anthony Bucco.
“This law strengthens the integrity of New Jersey’s farmland assessment program by making sure it works as intended, by supporting farmers and foresters while protecting everyday taxpayers,” said Assemblyman William Spearman. “By updating outdated eligibility standards, increasing penalties for misrepresentation, and modernizing the application process, we are bringing greater transparency and accountability to a program that has a real impact on local property taxes and our agricultural future.”
Farm and agriculture groups praised the measure.
“The New Jersey Farm Bureau is thankful to the sponsors and all who worked on this legislation that modernizes farmland assessment while maintaining the core principles of the program that have helped keep farmers on the land in the Garden State for decades,” said New Jersey Farm Bureau President Allen Carter. “This legislation expands representation on the Farmland Evaluation Committee that guides the program and increases fines on bad actors who try to take unfair advantage of this tax benefit.”
“This new legislation comes to a mutually beneficial compromise on agriculture revenue requirements and application fees,” said Agriculture State Board President Bob Blew. “Signing this legislation will ensure the Farmland Assessment Program can support farmers for years to come.”
