The bill amends the Industrial Hemp Growers Act by making several key changes to Section 107. It establishes the industrial hemp fund within the state treasury, allowing the state treasurer to receive fees and other assets for deposit into the fund, while ensuring that the fund's money does not lapse to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. The department is designated as the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes and is responsible for expending money from the fund to support the program's establishment, operation, and enforcement.

Significantly, the bill includes provisions for the abolition of the industrial hemp fund on October 1, 2027, with any unencumbered balance being transferred to the agriculture licensing and inspection fees fund. Additionally, it introduces a new exemption from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act for information submitted by former applicants or participants in the program, although this exemption does not extend to personal information disclosed to law enforcement agencies. The amendatory act is set to take effect on February 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-2): 333.29107
Senate Introduced Bill: 333.29107
As Passed by the Senate: 333.29107