RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Agricultural Commissioner, or designee, to execute an agreement with the California Department of Agriculture (CDFA) in an amount not to exceed $2,000 to reimburse the County to register industrial hemp growers and seed breeders and enforce all laws and regulations pertaining to industrial hemp for the period April 30, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Agriculture will be reimbursed in an amount not to exceed $2,000 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.