The bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 2-3906 to create a regulatory framework for the commercial production of industrial hemp in Kansas. It assigns the Kansas Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the governor and attorney general, the responsibility of submitting a comprehensive plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This plan will include monitoring procedures for hemp production, THC level testing, compliance with federal regulations, licensing requirements, and corrective actions for negligent violations. A significant provision of the bill disqualifies individuals with felony convictions related to hemp production within the last ten years from obtaining a hemp producer license.

Additionally, the bill revises K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 9-555 to enhance regulations under the Kansas Money Transmission Act, including fingerprinting and criminal history checks for individuals controlling a licensee. It introduces new licensing requirements for applicants who have lived outside the U.S. in the past ten years, mandating an investigative background report from an independent firm. The bill also modifies existing laws regarding the commissioner overseeing earned wage access services by removing certain fingerprinting requirements while maintaining criminal history checks. Furthermore, it updates processes for criminal history record checks across various state agencies, ensures confidentiality of the information, and repeals outdated statutes related to private detectives, streamlining the licensing framework in Kansas. The provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2025, with certain confidentiality measures expiring on July 1, 2029, unless renewed.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 2-3906, 2-3901, 9-555, 9-565, 9-2411, 45-229, 22-4714, 75-7b01