Recognizes right to adequate food.
AJR 229 is a symbolic joint resolution recognizing New Jersey's commitment to the right to adequate food as a fundamental principle. It defines this right to include nutritional needs, physical and economic access to safe, culturally appropriate food, sustainability, and food sovereignty - without creating new legal obligations or private lawsuits. The resolution encourages state, county, and municipal entities to prioritize underdeveloped communities, coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to support local farmers, and promote sustainable food systems. It serves as a guiding principle for future policies but does not mandate new laws or funding.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
General Assembly Passage
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Dec 2025
Signed into Law
Jan 2026
Introduced Jun 27, 2025
Signed Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Dec 18, 2025 · General Assembly Dec 8, 2025
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
Dec 18, 2025
D
Democratic25
96% Yea
R
Republican15
73% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Jan 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved P.L.2025, JR-19.
executive
Dec 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (60-7-3)
lower
Dec 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (35-0)
upper
Dec 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Dec 11, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
upper
Dec 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (60-5-2)
lower
Dec 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
lower
Dec 4, 2025
Committee
Transferred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
lower
Jun 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
lower
5 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
P
Bill Spearman
DDemocratic
P
Renee Burgess
DDemocratic
P
Shama Haider
DDemocratic
P
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Bailey
DDemocratic
Co
Luanne Peterpaul
DDemocratic
Co
Margie Donlon
DDemocratic
Co
Robert Karabinchak
DDemocratic
Co
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
Co
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
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