New Hampshire : 2021 Regular Session : BILL HB128
Adding notification requirements to the weather modification statute.
Sponsor: Rep John Potucek & Rep Judy Aron & Rep James Allard & Rep Raymond Howard & Rep Michael Sylvia & Sen Ruth Ward & Rep Tony Lekas & Rep Rene Nunez
Bill Details
Adding notification requirements to the weather modification statute.
Bill summary
Notification Requirements for Weather Modification This bill amended existing law to enforce transparency before any state agency could attempt to modify the weather. • Laws Introduced: It amended RSA 12-F:1 to require that at least two months prior to seeking approval for weather modification, a state agency must place public notices in four newspapers and on the internet. • Requirements: The agency must disclose the chemical compounds and technologies to be used, the potential effects on human health and wildlife, and the funding sources. It also required the agency to solicit public input regarding the proposed activity. • Enforcement: The bill established these procedural prerequisites as mandatory steps for state agencies.
History
The bill was introduced in January 2021 and quickly made its way through the legislative process, receiving a strong endorsement in committee votes, including a unanimous recommendation "Ought to Pass". Following a series of public hearings and additional committee reviews, it was passed by both the House and Senate with overwhelming support. The bill was signed into law by Governor Sununu on May 17, 2021, and will take effect on July 16, 2021. As it has successfully passed all legislative hurdles, no further steps are required for this bill.
- Mon 04 Jan 2021 Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration House Journal 2 P. 36
- Mon 22 Feb 2021 Public Hearing: 02/22/2021 10:00 am Please click the link below to join the webinar:https://zoom.us/j/97378434787Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened.
- Thu 04 Mar 2021 Executive Session: 03/04/2021 10:30 am Please click the link below to join the webinar:https://zoom.us/j/92570492865
- Wed 10 Mar 2021 Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 18-0; Consent Calendar) House Calendar 18 P. 11
- Wed 07 Apr 2021 Ought to Pass: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 04/07/2021 House Journal 5 P. 21
- Wed 07 Apr 2021 Reconsider (Rep. Osborne): Motion Failed Voice Vote 04/07/2021 House Journal 5 P. 50
- Wed 07 Apr 2021 Introduced 04/01/2021 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; Senate Journal 11
- Wed 07 Apr 2021 Remote Hearing: 04/14/2021, 09:45 am; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; Senate Calendar 19
- Wed 14 Apr 2021 Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/22/2021; Vote 5-0; Consent Calendar; Senate Calendar 20
- Thu 22 Apr 2021 Ought to Pass: Regular Calendar 23Y-1N, Motion Adopted; OT3rdg; 04/22/2021; Senate Journal 12
- Thu 06 May 2021 Enrolled (in recess of) 04/09/2021 House Journal 7 P. 102
- Thu 06 May 2021 Enrolled Regular Calendar 23Y-0N, Motion Adopted, (In recess of 05/06/2021); Senate Journal 15
- Wed 19 May 2021 Signed by Governor Sununu 05/17/2021; Chapter 34; Eff: 07/16/2021
Supplementary documents
No supplementary documents available
Bill text
Adding notification requirements to the weather modification statute.
2021 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 128
AN ACT adding notification requirements to the weather modification statute.
SPONSORS: Rep. Aron, Sull. 7; Rep. Potucek, Rock. 6; Rep. Allard, Merr. 21; Rep. Howard, Belk. 8; Rep. Sylvia, Belk. 6; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Rep. T. Lekas, Hills. 37; Rep. Nunez, Hills. 37
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires notice before a state agency attempts to modify the weather.
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT adding notification requirements to the weather modification statute.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Weather Modification; Notification Required. Amend RSA 12-F:1 to read as follows:
12-F:1 Weather Modification Experimentation.
I. Any department or agency of the state may, with the approval of the governor and council and within the limits of appropriated funds or by means of gifts, donations or grants, engage in and undertake experimentation in the techniques and methods for weather modification, and may cooperate therein with the federal government, with authorized agencies of other states, and with interested persons and organizations.
II. At least 2 months prior to the presentation to the governor and executive council for approval of engagement in or experimentation in techniques and methods for weather modification, the department or agency of the state participating in such engagement or experimentation shall do the following:
(a) Place a public notice in at least 4 newspapers within the state and on the departmental Internet website informing the public of the date and type of the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events within the state.
(b) Disclose to the public the chemical compounds and technologies to be used in the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events in the state including the effects of the program or experimentation on human health, what wildlife and wildlife habitats may be affected, and the source of funding to perform such program or experimentation.
(c) Solicit public input regarding the proposed weather modification program or experimentation.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.