S.B. 3106 Summary

• Establishes a permanent industrial hemp program administered by the Department of Agriculture, replacing the pilot program, with licensing for individuals and entities to cultivate hemp meeting federal 0.3% delta-9 THC standards.

• Creates an industrial hemp special fund to support program operations, including hiring positions for program coordinators, specialists, and administrative costs, funded by license fees and legislative appropriations.

• Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules for licensing and inspection of hemp processing facilities and authorizes the Department of Agriculture to employ temporary inspectors for inspections and testing.

• Exempts hemp legally cultivated by licensed producers from marijuana definitions in state law and establishes an affirmative defense for prosecutions of drug offenses when hemp was cultivated under an approved license or with approved cultivars.

• Requires the Board of Agriculture chairperson to submit a state hemp production plan to the federal Secretary of Agriculture within 30 days of federal guidelines and report quarterly to the governor and legislature on approval status.