Kentucky : 2023 Regular Session : BILL HB552
AN ACT relating to geoengineering.
Sponsor: Rep Jim Gooch
Bill Details
Create a new section of Subchapter 1 of KRS Chapter 224 to define "solar geoengineering" and "weather modification"; prohibit any agency or instrumentality of state or local government from engaging in solar geoengineering or weather modification.
Bill summary
Clauses of the Proposed Law This bill proposed the creation of a new section under KRS Chapter 224 to explicitly prohibit state involvement in geoengineering activities. • Definitions: The bill defined "Solar geoengineering" as any attempt to reflect sunlight into space to reduce global temperatures. Specific examples listed included cirrus cloud thinning, cloud brightening, stratospheric aerosol injection, and surface albedo modification. • Weather Modification: Defined as deliberate manipulation of natural processes to impact the climate. • Prohibition: The core clause stated that no agency or instrumentality of the state or local government (including officials and employees) would be permitted to engage in or approve of any form of weather modification or solar geoengineering within the Commonwealth. Enforcement The text of this specific bill did not outline criminal penalties or fines for violations, nor did it establish specific enforcement mechanisms beyond the prohibition placed on government entities.
History
The bill was introduced in the House on February 22, 2023, and was promptly assigned to the Committee on Committees. This committee function is responsible for reviewing the bill and determining its next steps. As of now, the bill is still active, and its future progress will depend on further discussions within the committee, potential amendments, and scheduling for debates or voting in the House. If it passes the committee review, it will move forward for additional consideration by the full House.
- Wed 22 Feb 2023 introduced in House
- Wed 22 Feb 2023 to Committee on Committees (H)
Supplementary documents
No supplementary documents available
Bill text
AN ACT relating to geoengineering.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF SUBCHAPTER 1 OF KRS CHAPTER 224 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
As used in this section:
"Solar geoengineering" means any attempt to reflect sunlight into space or increase the amount of solar radiation that escapes into space with the goal of reducing global temperatures, including but not limited to:
Cirrus cloud thinning, whereby substances are sprayed in high10 altitude cirrus clouds to thin them so that more heat can escape into space;
Cloud brightening to increase the whiteness of clouds so that they reflect more sunlight;
Stratospheric aerosol injection of sulfur compounds or other particles into the stratosphere to reflect incoming sunlight; and
Surface albedo modification to change the surface of the land to reflect more sunlight into space; and
"Weather modification" means any attempt to deliberately manipulate natural processes that give rise to the weather or weather patterns with the goal of impacting the climate.
No agency or instrumentality of state or local government, or any employee or official thereof, shall engage in or approve of any form of solar geoengineering or weather modification in the Commonwealth.