2019 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 3 - Agriculture and Forestry
§1465. Licensure
RS 1465 - Licensure
A.(1) Each industrial hemp seed producer shall obtain an annual license issued by the department. The license shall authorize the licensee to produce, transport, and sell approved seeds to licensed industrial hemp growers and processors.
(a) A licensed industrial hemp seed producer shall ensure that the seed complies with the standards set by the commission.
(b) The department shall provide information that identifies sellers of industrial hemp seed to growers.
(2) A grower of industrial hemp shall obtain an annual license issued by the department. The license shall authorize the licensee to cultivate, handle, and transport industrial hemp in this state.
(3) A processor of industrial hemp shall obtain an annual license issued by the department. The license shall authorize the licensee to handle, process, and transport industrial hemp in this state.
(4) A contract carrier of industrial hemp shall obtain an annual license issued by the department. The license shall authorize the licensee to transport industrial hemp in this state.
B. Any person desiring to obtain a license shall apply to the commissioner for a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner. A license must be obtained before a person purchases or obtains any industrial hemp seeds.
C.(1) The application for any grower, processor, contract carrier, or industrial hemp seed producer license shall include the following information:
(a) The name and address of the applicant.
(b) The name and address of the designated responsible party, if the applicant is a business entity.
(c) Except for the contract carrier applicant, the legal description and global positioning coordinates of the land area to be used to produce or process industrial hemp.
(2) If any changes are made to the required information in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the applicant shall resubmit the application to the department within fifteen days.
D.(1) Upon application for initial licensure or annual license renewal, the applicant shall be required to submit to a criminal background check. The applicant shall submit fingerprints and other identifying information to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. The costs of providing the criminal background check shall be assessed by the bureau, as specified in R.S. 15:587(B), and paid by the applicant.
(2) No person shall be eligible to obtain a license if convicted under state or federal law of any of the following:
(a) A felony within the ten years immediately preceding the date of application.
(b) A drug-related misdemeanor within the two years immediately preceding the date of application.
E. The applicant is responsible for any employee working under the applicant's license.
F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the Southern University Agricultural Center when performing research as provided for in R.S. 3:1469.
Acts 2019, No. 164, §1, eff. June 6, 2019.
