ND HB1436

Requires applicants for industrial hemp licenses to submit to statewide and nationwide criminal history record checks, with applicants bearing all costs, and changes language to allow denial of licensure (rather than automatic disqualification) for those with prior criminal convictions.

Requires licensees to file documentation that seeds are certified to contain no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol and to notify the agriculture commissioner of any sales or distribution of industrial hemp.

Authorizes the agriculture commissioner to adopt rules allowing testing of industrial hemp during growth for THC levels and supervision during growing, harvesting, and processing.

Establishes a licensing fee of $5 per acre with a $150 minimum per applicant; fee collections must be deposited in the commissioner's operating fund and are appropriated for enforcement purposes.

Expands authorization under section 4-41-03 to allow the agriculture commissioner, North Dakota State University, and other licensed persons to import, resell, and plant industrial hemp seed and cultivate, harvest, and market crops for legally permissible purposes including agricultural research.