Leno/DeVore Industrial Hemp Bill Passes

While it is unusual for me to find reason to give praise to Assemblyman Chuck Devore; I found this post from him on OC Blog this morning and with praise for what I find to be good legislation, I re-post it here.

Chuck, on this one, you’ve done a heck of a job. :)  

On a 44-27 vote (will likely be 45-27 soon), the Assembly passed AB 684 and sent it to the Governor’s desk. 

In the Senate earlier today, four Republican senators voted for the measure, up from two last year.  The four were McClintock, Aanestad, Denham, and Maldonado.  The first two voted “aye” last year, the second two represent the addition of important farm district lawmakers. 

The senate amended the bill to add GPS registration of hemp farm fields as well as testing.  It also limited the time and the counties were hemp may be grown — essentially turning this to a pilot program. 

After I was joined by Assemblyman Adams for the vote earlier this year when the bill passed out of the Assembly the first time (last year, I was the only Republican voting for it in the Assembly), this morning’s vote featured three Republicans: myself, Adams again, and Assemblyman Niello, the Vice Chair of the Budget Committee and a former Sacramento supervisor.  More Republicans abstained this time around too. 

I’ve worked hard to move industrial hemp from an issue invoking silly jokes in last year’s GOP Assembly Caucus to a serious issue regarding free trade and freedom for farmers to grow a crop legally imported from Canada and about 30 other nations. Last year, three Republican lawmakers voted for industrial hemp and one abstained.  This year, seven Republican lawmakers supported industrial hemp and three abstained. 

At 1:57 AM the vote now stands at 46-27. 

I think the Governor will take a long look at this bill and I am hopeful that he will sign it. 

All the best,

Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
www.ChuckDeVore.com