NBC 11 on Industrial Hemp

More legislative progress in Sacramento:

A bill allowing California farmers to grow a controversial product passed the California Senate Public Safety committee Tuesday, NBC11’s Mike Luery reported.

The proposed pilot program would allow California farmers to grow industrial hemp.

“Thirty countries around the world are growing this. Of course, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp. The sails of the Nina, Pinto and Santa Maria were made from industrial hemp as were the draft copies of the Constitution,” said San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno, who co-authored the bill.

With bi-partisan support!

Hemp is used in everything from soap to clothing to food products. It’s a multimillion-dollar industry that some conservative Republicans are supporting. Irvine Assemblyman Chuck Devore co-authored the bill.

“It’s nice that we can make money off of this,” Devore said. “It’s nice that it’ll boost the California economy; but to me, this is a freedom issue. This is about freeing American farmers to grow a crop that is legally imported into the United States every day.” [...]

The hemp bill still has a few hurdles ahead, but with some key Republicans and Democrats joining together, supporters said they believe this measure will reach the governor’s desk.

Here is video of Assemblyman Mark Leno discussing the bill:

Measure to Allow Farmers to Grow Industrial Hemp Wins Approval from Key Senate Committee

From a press release:

SACRAMENTO, CA — Assembly Bill 684, authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine), which would give California farmers the opportunity to grow industrial hemp and take part in this multimillion dollar industry, passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday on a vote of 3 to 1. Amendments were taken necessary to move the bill forward that would pilot hemp farming to four counties— (Kings, Mendocino, Imperial and Yolo—for a five year period.)

“California farmers are currently shut-out of a multimillion dollar industry because we don’t allow our farmers to grow industrial hemp, and we force California manufacturers to buy hemp seed, oil and fiber from other countries,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno. “Our enterprising and innovative farmers should not be hindered by senseless regulation. It’s my hope that by giving farmers in these counties the opportunity to supply a $270 million industry that’s growing by $26 million each year, that other counties won’t be far behind.”

Sponsored by Vote Hemp, AB 684 would regulate commercial industrial hemp farming in California, a variety of cannabis that grows up to 16 feet tall, resembles bamboo, and has no psychoactive properties. Under the bill, industrial hemp is defined as cannabis varieties having 0.3% THC or less and its cultivation is only permitted as an agricultural field crop or in a research setting. Cultivation in groves, yards, or other locations is prohibited.

“We can import hemp, we can process it into shampoo, plastics, and food, but we won’t let American farmers grow it,” said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, who is authoring the measure along with Leno. “This bill will free our farmers to compete with foreign farmers in growing hemp, a non-drug, legal and safe crop.”

Industrial hemp is one of nature’s strongest fibers and is processed throughout the world for body care products, food, paper, clothing, automotive parts, building materials, and numerous other uses. The seed has many nutritional benefits because it contains essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 commonly found in fish, and is an alternative source of protein. Hemp also has strong environmental benefits. It’s a source for paper that could enable us to save our trees for higher end uses such as lumber. Hemp requires little or no agricultural chemicals, smothers weeds, and improves soil conditions, making it an excellent rotational crop in both organic and conventional farming.

Today, more than 30 industrialized nations grow industrial hemp and many export it to the U.S. AB 684 has tight controls on industrial hemp production that relieve law enforcement of the burden of having to discern legal hemp from illegal marijuana in common drug busts. Additionally, the amendments are meant to allay law enforcement concerns by giving the State the opportunity to evaluate the program before extending it.

The U.S. Congress has never expressly prohibited the cultivation of industrial hemp, but federal regulators have inferred that prohibition from a long-standing definition of marijuana in U.S. law. However, when that definition was debated in Congress in 1937, Senators and Representatives were told that domestic production of industrial hemp would not be prohibited.

The bill will be heard next in the Senate Public Safety Committee on July 10th.

It makes no sense that this doesn’t have 100% support — this is the definition of common sense legislation.

Mark Leno on Industrial Hemp Farming

Assemblymember Leno was the Vote Hemp ‘Legislator of the Year’ in 2006 and if you take a few minutes to watch this video I think you’ll agree we need to make this happen in 2007.

—–
View more Mark Leno Videos

Mark Leno on the Environment

The Environment

Here is a sample of some of the environmental bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I’ve also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 706: California Furniture Safety and Fire Prevention Act

This bill bans the use of all brominated and chlorinated fire retardants in upholstered furniture as well as bedding products such as pillows, comforters, and mattresses. These chemicals have been linked to a wide variety of health problems including cancer, birth defects and reproductive difficulties. The bill creates a smarter and improved fire-safety standard for furniture, while protecting our kids, workers, fire fighters, and others from potentially dangerous exposure to toxic chemicals.

AB 1056: California Ocean Protection Council (Leno & Huffman)

This bill authorizes the California Ocean Protection Council to establish a science advisory team to improve the Council’s ability to wisely spend $90 million in bond funds approved by the voters in 2006. It ensures that the Council’s decisions on ocean protection projects are informed by thorough research and scientific review.

AB 1451: Solar Exclusion Renewal

This bill renews a successful exclusion from property tax assessments for solar energy systems. The bill also clarifies that the first buyers of newly constructed homes equipped with solar energy systems are eligible for the exclusion from assessment. This exclusion for solar power was initially approved by the voters in 1980 and has helped make California an international leader in solar technology and installation.

AB 1358: Complete Streets Act

This bill prompts cities and counties to plan for the accommodation of all users of the roadway including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, seniors, children, and the disabled. Planning for these accommodations before construction begins is cheaper than retrofitting existing infrastructure and will give Californians real options for getting out of their cars. The resulting reduction in vehicle miles traveled will reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions and help us meet standards set by AB 32.

2006

AB 2573: San Francisco Solar Power Expansion

This bill authorizes a power exchange between municipal solar power facilities with excess solar generation capacity and new municipal development sites which can use the excess solar-generated electricity.

2005

AB 749: Local Dungeness Crab Industry Protection

This bill grants authority to the State Fish and Game Commission to regulate the crab fishing industry and establishes trap limits, in an effort to protect the long-term sustainability of the crab fishermen, local businesses and the Dungeness crab species.

AB 1099: Solar Tax Exemption

This bill removes the sunset clause on a tax exemption for the construction or addition of solar energy systems on public or private buildings.

AB 1147: Industrial Hemp Production

Current law allows hemp to be imported into California for manufacturing a wide array of consumer goods and products, but prohibits hemp from being grown in the state. This bill would remove that prohibition, providing California farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative that requires fewer pesticides and less water than many other crops.

2004

AB 594: Implementation of Proposition B, the Solar Revenue Bond

This measure closes a loophole in state law to allow the City of San Francisco to implement Proposition B, the solar revenue bond supported overwhelmingly by San Francisco voters. Currently, San Francisco can build solar power projects like Moscone Center that supply power directly to an on-site facility. AB 594 allows the City of San Francisco to build projects on remote government properties and supply power through net-metering, expanding the possibilities for building solar power facilities.

AB 1684: Clean up of AB 1685 relating to the Self Generation Incentive Program

This measure is a technical clean up of AB 1685, a bill passed last year which extended the Self-Generation Incentive Program to 2008. AB 1684 is a minor technical clean up and was voted unanimously out of the Assembly and will be heard in the Senate Energy Committee this June.

AB 2146: Dungeness Crab Industry Pilot Project

AB 2146 will ensure the livelihood of family-owned, small-to-medium crab boat owners and operators. These traditional, small businesses are in danger of losing their place in an industry of larger, more equipped boats and processors. AB 2146 would limit the number of crab traps used for the take of Dungeness crab to 250 traps per vessel beginning October 1, 2005 through October 1, 2007. Additionally this measure would authorize the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations as may be necessary to ensure the protection of the Dungeness Crab Industry.

2003

AB 1684: Elimination of Exit Fees

Last September, AB 58 (Keeley) expanded the State’s net metering law. Although the utilities were ultimately unsuccessful in their effort to thwart the bill, they succeeded in inserting some language that allows exit fees to be charged to net-metered customers. Correcting this flaw and protecting solar customers from exit fees will provide an important incentive for solar installations in a way that is revenue-neutral to the utilities and does not impact the general fund.

AB 1685: CPUC Reauthorization of Self-Generation Incentive Program

The California Public Utilities Self-Generation Incentive Program is a critically important subsidy for the growth of solar energy in California. Most of the large solar projects in California, including the $7.4 million solar rooftop at the Moscone Center, have received this subsidy. The program is mandated by the CPUC but administered by the utilities. AB 1685 would re-authorize the program.

-Mark

Mark Leno on Business Development and Fair Business Practices

Business Development &
Fair Business Practices

Here is a sample of some of the business and fair practices bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I’ve also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 684: California Industrial Hemp Farming Act

Industrial hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis plant that is genetically distinct from marijuana. Industrial hemp is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products including automotive parts, fiber board, paper, textiles, healthy foods, and body care products. This bill would permit California farmers to grow industrial hemp and take advantage of the growing U.S. hemp products market now valued at $300 million.

AB 1310: Bandit Limos and Charter Transportation Services

California has a growing problem throughout the state of limousine and passenger charter transportation services operating without a certificate or permit issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). These bandit services pose a threat to consumers who unknowingly call an advertised number of an illegally operating passenger carrier. This bill will require the certificate or permit number of any limousine or passenger charter transportation service to be included in any advertisement of service. Additionally, it will authorize the PUC to disconnect the telephone service of any limousine or passenger charter transportation entity that is advertising service but operating without a certificate or permit.

2006

AB 2914: Deletion of Architect LLP Sunset Date

In 1998, legislation was enacted to allow architects to form Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), with a sunset date of January 1, 2007. In the eight years since, architectural firms have successfully operated as LLPs. AB 2914 removes the sunset date in order to allow them to continue operating as such.

2005

AB 499: Local Small Business Contracting Preferences

Current law creates a scoring preference for small businesses competing for local contracts. Currently, there is no opportunity for local agencies to encourage contracting to small businesses in their communities. This bill would offer an optional preference for local agencies that wanted to include more local small businesses in the contracting process.

AB 799: Vehicle License Fee Option for San Francisco

This bill would authorize the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to put a measure on the local ballot that would reinstate the Vehicle License Fee to its historic 2% level, with the proceeds going to fund critical local health, safety, and transportation services.

2004

AB 578: Electronic Recording Act

This measure would set up a framework under which County Assessors and Recorders could receive documents electronically. Most Assessors and Recorders already operate electronically upon receipt of paper-based documents. In 2002, the Attorney General indicated that receipt of electronic recordings by County Assessors and Recorders requires legislative authorization.

AB 2303: Limiting Corporate Executive Compensation in Bankruptcy

This measure prevents a public utility from giving executive bonuses while in insolvency and at the expense of ratepayers. This measure is a direct response to the exorbitant bonuses given to PG&E executives while the company was in bankruptcy.

AB 2552: Marriage and Family Therapist Scope of Practice Clarification

Business and Professions Code provides that Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) degree programs must contain “an integrated course of study that trains students generally in the diagnosis, assessment, prognosis and treatment of mental disorders.” It also provides that degree programs for MFTs shall contain supervised practices “in applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, including dysfunctions, healthy functioning, health promotion, and illness prevention.” AB 2552 clarifies the fact that the MFT scope of practice includes the responsibilities and duties for which an MFT is trained.

AB 2591: Local government enforcement of charter party carrier laws for limousines

This measure would allow local governments to regulate and enforce charter party carrier laws for limousines. The state PUC currently regulates and enforces charter party carrier laws for limousines, but statewide enforcement could benefit from added local enforcement. Violations of charter party carrier laws have public safety and consumer implications. Allowing local enforcement of the law will create a safer environment for everyone.

AB 2761: Rental Car Contracts for Business Customers

In 1998 the Legislature enacted significant protections for rental car consumers in order to ensure that these customers are given a fair and accurate quote for their rental car before entering into a rental car contract. These protections were never meant to apply to the unique circumstances of the business renter whose company has entered into a pre-negotiated agreement with a rental car company. This measure would allow businesses to pre-negotiate contracts outside the confines of the rules created for individual renters.

2003

AB 807: Prevailing Wage

Assembly Bill 807 closes loopholes around the timely payment of the health and welfare portion of the prevailing wage, requiring payment on at least on a quarterly basis.

-Mark