GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 330 2022 Regular Session Travis Johnson
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES: Creates the Industrial Hemp Promotion and
Research Program
DIGEST
Proposed law establishes the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program to
support the growth and development of the industrial hemp industry in La.
Proposed law defines the following terms:
(1)"Board" means the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board.
(2)"Commissioner" means the La. commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
(3)"Industrial hemp" means the same as defined in present law.
(4)"Industrial hemp educational program" means any event focused on improving a
participant's understanding of the industrial hemp industry.
(5)"Industrial hemp facility" means any facility used to produce or process industrial
hemp.
(6)"Industrial hemp industry member" means any person with an interest and
background in the requirements of producing, handling, processing, or selling
industrial hemp or products produced from industrial hemp.
(7)"Industrial hemp research" means any scholarly activity conducted to collect
scientific data utilizing experimental design as authorized under this Chapter.
(8)"Program" means the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program.
(9)"Promotion of the industrial hemp industry" means the development of a
comprehensive marketing plan for the industrial hemp industry, which may include
a website, social media, and an advertising program.
Proposed law creates the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board
within the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.
Proposed law provides that the board shall consist of 15 members as follows:
(1)One member who is engaged in the production of industrial hemp or industrial hemp
seed appointed by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
(2)One member appointed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
(3)One member appointed by the Southern University Agricultural Research and
Extension Center.
(4)One member appointed by the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
(5)One member appointed by the president of the Louisiana Senate.
(6)One member appointed by the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.
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Prepared by Curry J. Lann. (7)One member appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
(8)One member appointed by the commissioner who is a licensed grower of industrial
hemp.
(9)One member appointed by the commissioner who is a licensed processor of industrial
hemp.
(10)One member appointed by the commissioner who is a consumer of industrial hemp.
(11)One member appointed by the commissioner who is a representative of the Louisiana
industrial hemp industry.
(12)One member appointed by the Louisiana Black Farmers Cannabis and Hemp
Association.
(13)One member appointed by the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners
Association.
(14)One member appointed by the Louisiana Cannabis Association.
(15)One member appointed by the Gulf South Hemp Association.
Proposed law requires the commissioner or his designee to serve as an ex officio member in
an advisory capacity only.
Proposed law provides for the organization and administration of the board, including
provisions for appointments, the length of terms, vacancies, quorum requirements,
expulsions, meeting requirements, and appointment of officers.
Proposed law specifies that the board should be representative of the state's population by
race and gender to ensure diversity.
Proposed law prohibits members of the board from receiving any compensation.
Proposed law requires the board to:
(1)Advise the commissioner on the development and maintenance of the La. Industrial
Hemp Promotion and Research Program.
(2)Maintain a permanent record of its proceedings.
(3)Submit an annual report of its activities to the House Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development and the Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development by Jan. 31st of each year.
Proposed law authorizes the board to:
(1)Provide information to governmental entities upon request on subjects of concern to
the industrial hemp industry and collaborate with the state or federal government on
the development and administration of the program.
(2)Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or national organization or agency engaged
in activities consistent with the objectives of the program.
(3)Make recommendations to the House and Senate committees on agriculture, forestry,
aquaculture, and rural development on legislation relative to the regulation of
industrial hemp.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to:
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Prepared by Curry J. Lann. (1)Adopt such rules and regulations, as are necessary to administer the program, in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2)Enter into contracts or other agreements to accomplish any purpose authorized by
proposed law, including advertising, education, marketing, promotion, research, or
services.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to accept and expend monies from any source,
including gifts, contributions, donations, state appropriations, and federal grants, and to
accept and use services from individuals, corporations, and governmental entities.
Proposed law requires all funds made available to the commissioner be expended only to
effectuate the purposes of proposed law, including the following uses:
(1)To attract additional business associated with the industrial hemp industry to La.
including processors.
(2)To develop and promote La. industrial hemp brands or marketing campaigns.
(3)To aid in the development of a coordinated research plan designed to develop higher
quality industrial hemp seeds and plants best suited for cultivation within the state,
new and improved uses for industrial hemp, and best management practices.
(4)To develop educational programs and disseminate educational materials about
industrial hemp.
(5)To support the enhancement and maintenance of public-use industrial hemp facilities,
specifically those used for the purposes of promotion and research.
(6)To promote activities, facilities, events, and the needs of the La. industrial hemp
industry.
(7)To contract for scientific research with accredited postsecondary education
institutions or similar educational institutions and industrial hemp licensees
authorized to conduct industrial hemp research under present law that will assist in
carrying out the purposes of the program, including industrial hemp best management
practices.
Proposed law provides for the transfer of the program to the Dept. of Agriculture and
Forestry as provided by law.
(Adds R.S. 3:1491-1496 and R.S. 36:629(L)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Set the term of board members at the pleasure of the commissioner only and
remove the criteria that board member terms are concurrent with the term of the
commissioner.
2. Make technical changes.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry,
Aquaculture, and Rural Development to the reengrossed bill
1. Increases the membership of the board from 11 to 15 members.
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Prepared by Curry J. Lann. 2. Removes the commissioner's authority to appoint all of the members of the board
and provides for the appointing authority of each member.
3. Removes provisions providing for the nomination of members.
4. Requires appointments to the board be made no later than September 1, 2022 and
requires appointing authorities to notify the commissioner of appointments.
5. Provides that members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
6. Authorizes the board to make recommendations to the House and Senate
committees on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and rural development on
legislation relative to the regulation of industrial hemp.
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Prepared by Curry J. Lann.