The bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 2-3906 to strengthen the regulation of industrial hemp production in Kansas by requiring the Kansas Department of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This plan will include procedures for land information maintenance, THC level testing, disposal of non-compliant products, and licensing requirements, including fees and seed standards. It also introduces corrective actions for hemp producers who violate regulations, mandates fingerprinting and criminal history checks for license applicants, and disqualifies individuals with certain felony convictions. Additionally, the bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 9-555 to define the Kansas Money Transmission Act and establish licensing requirements for money transmission, ensuring proper vetting of individuals involved in these sectors.

Moreover, the bill introduces new licensing requirements for applicants who have lived outside the U.S. in the past ten years, necessitating an investigative background report from an independent firm. It streamlines the criminal history check process by allowing state and national checks without fingerprinting, while also amending laws regarding the release of criminal history records to various state agencies. The bill deletes references to the Department of Agriculture in certain contexts, replacing it with the State Fire Marshal for hemp producer applications, and establishes confidentiality provisions for fingerprints and criminal history information. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance regulatory compliance and streamline licensing processes across various professions while safeguarding sensitive information.

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