PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The two major goals for South Dakota Farmers Union members this legislative session are getting lawmakers to approve both industrial hemp and Medicaid expansion bills. Farmers Union’s Lobbyist Mitch Richter says the hemp bill will likely come up soon and he expects it to pass.

Governor Kristi Noem earlier said she wouldn’t veto hemp legislation as long as it has certain restrictions in it. Richter says those are already in the bill, put there by the summer study committee.

Richter also says it’s critical the state approve Medicaid expansion.

Richter says the other major issue is what legislators decide to do with the state budget and that will likely come toward the end of the session.

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