Requires NJEDA to establish loan program to assist beginning farmers in financing capital purchases.
This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to create a loan program helping beginning farmers purchase essential farming capital like land, farm buildings, and equipment. Beginning farmers are defined as New Jersey residents with low or moderate net worth who are actively farming or planning to start farming. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria including New Jersey residency, property location within the state, relevant farming experience, and plans for active farm operation. Loans would be issued by NJEDA with terms and interest rates set by the agency, and borrowers may need to provide financial statements to ensure business viability.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Jan 2025
General Assembly Passage
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced May 2, 2024
Last action Jan 14, 2025
Floor votes · General Assembly Dec 19, 2024
How they voted
72–0
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 80
Dec 19, 2024
D
Democratic52
86% Yea
R
Republican28
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
upper
Dec 19, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (73-0-0)
lower
Dec 16, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
lower
Jun 3, 2024
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
May 2, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
lower
3 primary · 11 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Alex Sauickie
RRepublican
P
Bill Spearman
DDemocratic
P
Dawn Fantasia
RRepublican
Co
Andrea Katz
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Tully
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Bailey
DDemocratic
Co
Gerry Scharfenberger
RRepublican
Co
John DiMaio
RRepublican
Co
Luanne Peterpaul
DDemocratic
Co
Mike Inganamort
RRepublican
Co
MT
Mike Torrissi
RRepublican
Co
Rob Clifton
RRepublican
Co
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about A 4229
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand A 4229. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline