The Adopt the Nebraska Hemp Act (LB657) was introduced on Jan 23, 2019 by Senator Just Wayne of Omaha. This bill aims to align Nebraska’s definition of hemp with the federal government. It also will provide regulations for growing, harvesting, processing, storage and selling of hemp. Two days after being introduced, LB 657 was referred to the Agriculture Committee. Current committee members are as follows:
- Sen. Steve Halloran, Chairperson
- Sen. Carol Blood
- Sen. Tom Brandt
- Sen. Ernie Chambers
- Sen. Ben Hansen
- Sen. Steve Lathrop
- Sen. Mike Moser
- Sen. Julie Slama
The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee held a hearing on Tuesday February 12, 2019. An economics professor at UNK, Dr Allan Jenkins, testified at the hearing in regards to hemp in Nebraska. No one testified against the bill but so far LB 657 has not been advanced.
