RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Agricultural Commissioner, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, effective April 30, 2019 through June 30, 2020, to increase the payment limit by $79,860 to a new payment limit of $81,860 for enforcement and registration services for industrial hemp growers and seed breeders. (100% State)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The County will be reimbursed in an amount not to exceed $81,860 to register industrial hemp growers and seed breeders and enforce all laws and regulations pertaining to industrial hemp.

BACKGROUND:

The Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Division 24 requires growers of industrial hemp and seed breeders to register with county agricultural commissioners before growing industrial hemp. When a registrant wishes to alter the land area or change the seed cultivar grown, the registrant must notify and obtain approval from the agricultural commissioner in which the registrant is growing hemp. All registration information must be forwarded to CDFA. Chapter 8, Division 4, Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations implements FAC Division 24.