Murphy signs bipartisan bill strengthening protections for N.J. farmers under Right to Farm Act
TRENTON, N.J. — Commercial farmers in New Jersey will now have stronger legal protections against bad-faith complaints under legislation signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy and sponsored by Senator Parker Space (R-24).
“By enacting this law, we are protecting farmers from bad-faith lawsuits that waste time and money,” Sen. Space said. “It’s hard enough to make a living farming the land and dealing with frivolous complaints only makes it more difficult. Today’s bill signing sends a clear message that we stand with our farmers and honor the traditions that have shaped New Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage.”
The bipartisan measure expands the “Right to Farm Act” by allowing farmers to apply to a county agriculture development board or the State Agriculture Development Committee to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred while defending against bad-faith complaints involving legitimate commercial operations, activities, or structures.
If a complaint is determined to have been made in bad faith, the appropriate board would order the complainant to pay those costs and fees to the farmer.
The New Jersey Farm Bureau and other agricultural groups strongly supported the legislation, calling it an important tool for protecting farming operations from costly and unjustified challenges.
