State lawmakers are moving forward with a funding mechanism to prop up an industrial hemp program in South Dakota--should the legislation pass.
It’s a separate bill from establishing an industrial hemp program.
The bill’s prime sponsor of Democrat Representative Oren Lesmeister.
He says the bill gives the state Department of Ag $10-thousand to set up licenses for potential hemp growers.
“Some funding up front to start the program,” Lesmeister says. “As far as printing licensures, information, bulletins, so they can get things in order for producers, so they can work the applications.”
The house has already passed legislation for an industrial hemp program.
The Senate Ag committee is set to take up the bill on Thursday.
Governor Kristi Noem has indicated she’s opposed to an industrial hemp program over concerns for law enforcement and lack of federal guidelines. She’s not said whether she would veto the legislation.