The bill amends various sections of the Kansas Statutes Annotated concerning the regulation and development of industrial hemp. It establishes an advisory board within the Kansas Department of Agriculture, consisting of at least six members from diverse sectors, including law enforcement and crop research, to provide input on industrial hemp regulations. The bill mandates fingerprinting and criminal history checks for individuals seeking employment in hemp production, disqualifying those with felony convictions related to hemp within the last ten years. It also outlines licensing and registration procedures for hemp producers and processors, including the establishment of fees and annual inspections. Additionally, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is authorized to submit a state plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for monitoring industrial hemp production and is tasked with managing solid and hazardous waste from hemp cultivation, ensuring compliance with existing waste laws.

Furthermore, the bill introduces specific requirements for the disposal of industrial hemp waste, stating that any waste resembling a controlled substance must be rendered unusable and unrecognizable before disposal, with exceptions for hazardous waste managed at designated facilities. It clarifies that "unusable and unrecognizable" waste cannot be mistaken for a controlled substance, and violations are deemed unlawful. The Kansas Department of Agriculture is granted authority to coordinate with law enforcement for effective disposal, including the destruction of hemp or supervision of disposal methods, with prior law enforcement approval. The bill also includes provisions for fingerprinting and background checks for employees involved in hemp destruction and allows for reimbursement of disposal costs from licensed individuals. Several sections of existing law are repealed, and the act will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 2-3902, 2-3903, 75-4215, 2-3905, 2-3901, 2-3906, 2-3907, 2-3908, 2-3909, 2-3911, 2-3904