Hemp clears House bill in a hurry

By: 
Dana Hess, Community News Service
PIERRE — Members of the S.D. House of Representatives didn’t need to hear much more about HB1008, a bill to legalize the production of industrial hemp.
“The hemp bill has been a work in progress from last year at this time,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Lee Qualm, R-Platte. Last year Gov. Kristi Noem vetoed a similar bill. This year, her office has been heavily involved in the drafting of the current legislation.
During the bill’s short hearing on the House floor Tuesday afternoon, Qualm admitted that in its current form the bill isn’t perfect.
“It does what we need it to do to grow hemp in this state,” Qualm said.
Qualm balked at going through the entire eight-page, 14-section bill. Obviously, he knew his audience because no one in the chamber rose to speak for or against the bill.
The legislation includes sections on licensing, fees, background checks, inspections, record keeping, promulgation of rules and transportation.
The House approved the bill on a vote of 54-12. It now goes to the full Senate.

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