Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) has introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, which aims to extend by two years a provision affecting the definition of legal hemp. This provision was originally passed in the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations bill. The extension is intended to give farmers more time to adjust to new regulations that impact their planting decisions.
Baird was joined in introducing the legislation by House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (KY-01), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02), Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08).
“Planting and growing crops requires planning well in advance,” said Congressman Baird. “Congress created a regulatory environment in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for certain investments, and farmers were operating within this environment. The hemp provision included in the Continuing Resolution and Appropriations bills passed in November 2025 disrupted planting decisions that had already been made. Congress should not have passed such a sweeping policy change that upends a growing industry. Instead, Congress should have given farmers more time, creating a more stable environment for farmers to modify their future planting decisions. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure farmers have predictability and sufficient time to adjust to new laws that affect their livelihood.”
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Comer stated: “I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Rep. Baird’s bill to extend the implementation of new hemp restrictions by two years. This common-sense extension gives farmers and America’s hemp industry the time they need to adapt while Congress works to establish a clear, reasonable regulatory framework. I have championed the hemp industry since my time as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture and remain committed to bipartisan solutions in Washington that support our local farmers and provide certainty for this growing industry.”
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig commented: “Recent changes to hemp production and processing regulations pulled the rug out from under Minnesota’s hemp producers, craft brewers, and retailers at a time when too many business owners are already dealing with high prices and uncertainty. I’m proud to be introducing this common-sense legislation with my colleague Rep. Baird to fight these ill-thought-out policies and support the farmers and small business owners who make up Minnesota’s $200 million hemp industry.”
Congressman Moore added: “I’m proud to support this legislation to delay the harmful hemp provision and give Congress the time we need to do this right. A decision with major consequences for farmers and small businesses belongs in the Agriculture Committee, instead of being buried in a government funding bill. I’ll keep fighting to ensure North Carolina’s hemp growers have a seat at the table and aren’t regulated out of business.”
Congressman Evans also voiced his support: “I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Baird and local businesses in Colorado’s 8th District on this much-needed fix to support responsible hemp production. Colorado’s 8th District is home to 59 operating hemp facilities — including processors, retailers, extraction sites, and ingredient labs — that play a critical role in our state’s economy and help thousands of veterans access products that improve their physical and mental health. While we develop a long-term regulatory framework that improves public safety and grows domestic supply chains, this bill provides a path forward for the hemp industry, supports local jobs, and strengthens American competition.”
Jim Baird has represented Indiana’s 4th district in Congress since 2019 after succeeding Todd Rokita; he previously served at both state legislative levels as well as on county commissions. He was born in Covington, Indiana in 1945, currently lives in Greencastle, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
