EC0461AAE4B19AE387258576005FA414 Hearing Summary

Senator Marble, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-197.  This bill aligns Colorado's industrial hemp program statutes with federal hemp law. These changes include:

• new and modified definitions;
• changes to the size and appointing authorities for the renamed Industrial Hemp Advisory Committee;
• eliminating statutory authority for the research and development cultivation of hemp, but allowing the Commissioner of Agriculture to establish registration and waiver requirements for the research and development cultivation of hemp;
• requiring that fingerprint-based criminal history record checks be submitted with applications for registrations;
• establishing a registration and certification program for authorized samplers to collect and handle industrial hemp samples;
• requiring the testing of 100 percent of hemp lots planted each year;
• expanding record-keeping requirements for industrial hemp registrants;
• specifying unlawful acts and establishing civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation per day; and
• authorizing the commissioner to administer oaths, take statements, and issue subpoenas.

There was no in-person testimony for the bill.  The following individuals submitted written testimony (Attachment A):

Jaclyn Bowen, Clean Label Project, requested amendments.

Kyle Speidell, representing himself, requested amendments.