Exempts from realty transfer fee recording of deed of preserved farmland to qualified beginning farmer.

This bill exempts the realty transfer fee for deeds transferring preserved farmland to a qualified beginning farmer who holds written certification from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. To qualify as a beginning farmer, a person must have never farmed before, farmed in New Jersey for 10 years or less, or meet federal first-time farmer criteria. The Department of Agriculture must establish a certification process, including eligibility rules and a $100 fee, with the application form published on its website. This exemption applies only to preserved farmland transfers and requires the certification to be presented when recording the deed.