SB827: Industrial hemp; federal regulations, adoption in Virginia.

SENATE BILL NO. 827

Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 8, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-4114 of the Code of Virginia, relating to industrial hemp; federal regulations; emergency.
Patron-- Ruff

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.2-4114 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.2-4114. Regulations.

A. The Board may adopt regulations pursuant to this chapter as necessary to register persons to grow, deal in, or process industrial hemp or implement the provisions of this chapter.

B. Upon publication by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Federal Register of any final rule regarding industrial hemp that materially expands opportunities for growing, producing, or dealing in industrial hemp in the Commonwealth, the Board shall immediately adopt amendments conforming Department regulations to such federal final rule. Such adoption of regulations by the Board shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

2. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.