E54AC6F9AFD8FAD787258278006DF694 Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Catlin and McClachlan presented Senate Bill 18-205, concerning concerning industrial hemp designation as an agricultural product.  This bill adds unprocessed industrial hemp seeds to the definition of a commodity, and industrial hemp to the definition of farm products.  A commodity handler for unprocessed industrial hemp seeds will be subject to licensing under the Commodity Handler Act.  A person acting as a dealer, small-volume dealer, or agent for industrial hemp stocks, leaves, clones, and flowers will be subject to licensing under the Farm Products Act.  Under current law, industrial hemp registration fees are based on the size and use of the land area on which the industrial hemp operations are conducted.  This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to set fees sufficient to cover the direct and indirect costs of the Industrial Hemp Program.  There was no testimony on the bill.