The South Dakota legislature begins their 2020 session on January 14 in Pierre. State Farm Bureau Lobbyist Mike Held says the primary challenge facing lawmakers will be how to divide up the state budget to fund needed programs.
He says Farm Bureau members are watching to see if legislators increase agricultural fees to raise revenue for the budget shortfall.
Held says the main holdover issue from last session is whether or not to legalize industrial hemp production.
Held says the hemp debate may center around FDA’s ruling on CBD oil. He also says the summer study committee will present their hemp plan to lawmakers and Governor Noem.
