A 2943 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes crime of agroterrorism.

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "agroterrorism" in New Jersey, making it illegal to knowingly or recklessly import biological agents, toxins, or organisms designated as high-risk agricultural pathogens - substances that could cause significant harm to crops, livestock, or farms. The Secretary of Agriculture, working with environmental, health, and federal officials, must establish a list of these pathogens, and the crime's severity depends on factors like whether the act involved concealing the pathogen's origin, was conducted by someone acting for a foreign government, or caused over $1 million in economic damage. Agroterrorism is a second-degree crime (penalties: 5-10 years in prison and/or up to $150,000 in fines) unless it meets one of those aggravating conditions, in which case it becomes a first-degree crime (10-20 years and/or up to $200,000 in fines). The law directly affects individuals or entities importing such pathogens into New Jersey, aiming to deter threats to the state's agricultural sector.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Alex Sauickie
Alex Sauickie
RRepublican
NJ
12