House committee OK’s bill to allow interstate hemp shipments

Legislation that would allow people to transport hemp through Idaho if they first get a permit from the Idaho Department of Agriculture director has won the approval of a House committee.

The legislation sponsored by Republican Reps. Judy Boyle of Midvale and Caroline Nilsson Troy of Genesee, would treat the transportation of hemp similarly to how the state treats the transportation of livestock, with out-of-state carriers required to get a permit and then comply with Idaho State Police checkpoints at specific state entry points.

Phil Haunschild with the Idaho Freedom Foundation testified against the bill, saying its intent was noble but that it would cause problems for companies and truckers who ship hemp from state to state under their own state permits and don’t realize Idaho has its own special rules.