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Senate Bill 516

Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

DIGEST

Regulation of hemp. Establishes the Indiana hemp advisory committee (committee) to provide advice to the office of the state seed commissioner (commissioner) regarding Indiana's hemp laws. Sunsets the committee on July 1, 2021. Prohibits the commissioner from regulating a hemp product. Changes references from "industrial hemp" to "hemp" and amends the definition of hemp. Adds a definition of "hemp product". Allows for aerial inspection of hemp crops. Removes the limitation on the number of inspections that the state police department may conduct on a licensed hemp operation. Allows the commissioner to perform a criminal background check of an applicant for Regulation of hemp. Establishes the Indiana hemp advisory committee (committee) to provide advice to the office of the state seed commissioner (commissioner) regarding Indiana's hemp laws. Sunsets the committee on July 1, 2021. Prohibits the commissioner from regulating a hemp product. Changes references from "industrial hemp" to "hemp" and amends the definition of hemp. Adds a definition of "hemp product". Allows for aerial inspection of hemp crops. Removes the limitation on the number of inspections that the state police department may conduct on a licensed hemp operation. Allows the commissioner to perform a criminal background check of an applicant for a hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production license. Establishes a uniform expiration date for hemp licenses and agricultural hemp seed production licenses. Requires a person who sells agricultural hemp to have a seed distribution permit. Provides that: (1) the commissioner may revoke the hemp license of a licensee who fails to cooperate with the commissioner, the state police, a federal law enforcement agency, or a local law enforcement agency in an inspection of the licensee's crop; and (2) the failure to cooperate constitutes probable cause for the commissioner, state police, federal law enforcement agency, or local law enforcement agency to search the premises of the licensee's hemp operation. Provides that, if the state police department, a federal law enforcement agency, or a local law enforcement agency cooperates with the commissioner in the detention, seizure, or embargo of a hemp crop, the state police department, federal law enforcement agency, or local law enforcement agency is immune from civil liability for the detention, seizure, or embargo. Provides that a hemp grower shall reimburse the commissioner for the cost of testing conducted on the grower's crop. Allows the commissioner to order a hemp crop that is detained, seized, or embargoed for noncompliance to be destroyed by the owner. Subject to federal law, allows the commissioner to divert for processing a hemp crop that is detained, seized, or embargoed. Establishes requirements for a licensed handler to distribute clones and other nonseed propagative material. Provides that the commissioner may enter into agreements with laboratories selected by the Indiana state police department to perform testing of hemp samples. Requires any civil penalties collected under the hemp law to be transferred to the Indiana state department of agriculture and used for hemp marketing and research purposes. Provides that, in addition to payment of any civil penalty imposed by the commissioner, a person who violates certain requirements shall reimburse the commissioner for any costs incurred by the commissioner for laboratory testing of material pertaining to the violation. Allows negligent violations of the hemp law to be corrected without a penalty. Allows the commissioner to adopt emergency rules to comply with federal requirements. Establishes procedures by which the commissioner shall apply to the United States Department of Agriculture for approval of Indiana's hemp regulation. Requires a person who sells hemp to: (1) be licensed in Indiana and in the jurisdiction in which the hemp is grown; and (2) provide certain information to the buyer. Provides that hemp bud and hemp flower may be sold only to a licensed hemp processor and that the commissioner may assess a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for a violation. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally violates: (1) a term, condition, or requirement of a hemp license; or (2) a rule adopted under the hemp law; is subject to a civil penalty and possible license revocation. Provides that growing or handling hemp or selling hemp seed without a license is a Class A misdemeanor. Prohibits a local government unit from adopting or enforcing an ordinance that restricts or regulates the growth, production, or processing of hemp. Provides that the cannabidiol percent present in low THC hemp extract be certified. Provides a criminal penalty for dealing, manufacturing, financing, or possessing smokable hemp. Specifies that financial institutions, agencies, and instrumentalities of the state or the United States are not subject to certain crimes concerning financing the manufacture or distribution of smokable hemp. Allows the court to defer judgment on a crime concerning smokable hemp and dismiss charges if certain conditions are met. Makes conforming changes. Removes expired provisions. ... View more