Speaking on behalf of Rep. Willie Dove, Bonner Springs, Kansas.  Thank you for holding this listening session.  I’ll get right to the point.

Rep. Dove has expressed concern regarding what maybe a drawn-out timeframe for reviewing State-specific commercial hemp plans.

In his testimony before Congress, Secretary Perdue appeared to say that the USDA industrial hemp rules and regs (from the 2018 Farm Bill) would be finalized by 2020. 

Here are the Representative’s questions:
1.	Please clarify:  Did he mean by the end of 2019 so that USDA will begin reviewing State commercial growing plans at the beginning of 2020?
2.	How long will the review process take?  For example, if Kansas submits its plan at the end of 2019, will it be reviewed (and hopefully approved) in time for planting in March/April?

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to receiving clarification.

Melissa Leach