Texas : 2025 Regular Session : BILL HB1382
Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense.
Sponsor: Rep Wesley Virdell & Rep Briscoe Cain & Rep John Smithee & Rep Stan Gerdes & Rep Charles Cunningham & Rep Mark Dorazio & Rep Richard Hayes & Rep Andy Hopper & Rep Carrie Isaac & Rep Helen Kerwin & Rep AJ Louderback & Rep Shelley Luther & Rep Brent Money & Rep Mike Olcott & Rep Katrina Pierson & Rep Keresa Richardson & Rep Nate Schatzline & Rep Tony Tinderholt & Rep Steve Toth & Rep Ellen Troxclair
Bill Details
Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense.
Bill summary (AI generated)
• What it means: This bill proposes a comprehensive prohibition on weather modification and control activities in the state, establishing these actions as a criminal offense.
• What laws are being introduced/amended:
â—¦ It creates a new Chapter 303: "WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL PROHIBITED".
â—¦ "Weather modification and control" is defined as the injection, release, or dispersion of a chemical, compound, substance, or apparatus for the purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight.
â—¦ A person is prohibited from engaging in weather modification and control.
â—¦ A violation of this prohibition is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
â—¦ A person commits a separate offense for each day the violation occurs.
â—¦ The bill mandates the repeal of existing Chapters 301 and 302, Agriculture Code, which contained prior regulatory frameworks.
â—¦ The TDLR must return a prorated portion of fees paid for valid licenses or permits issued under the repealed Chapter 301.
â—¦ The Act takes effect on September 1, 2025.
History
The bill HB1382, titled "Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense," was filed on November 18, 2024. It was read for the first time on March 11, 2025, and subsequently referred to the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee. On April 22, 2025, a public hearing was held where the bill was discussed, and a committee substitute was considered. However, the bill was left pending in the committee, meaning no decision was made at that time. Moving forward, the bill will need to be voted on by the committee to progress toward the full legislative body for further debate and potential voting. If the committee ultimately approves it, the bill will then be sent to the broader legislature for consideration, where it could be amended, debated, and voted on in more substantial detail. If it remains pending without further action, it risks being sidelined or not progressing any further this session.
- Mon 18 Nov 2024 Filed
- Tue 11 Mar 2025 Read first time
- Tue 11 Mar 2025 Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 Considered in public hearing
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 Committee substitute considered in committee
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 Left pending in committee
Bill text (Transcribed)
Texas : 2025 Regular Session : BILL HB1382
Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense.
By: Virdell H.B. No. 1382
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control;
creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 9, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Chapter 303 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 303. WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL PROHIBITED
Sec. 303.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "weather
modification and control" means the injection, release, or
dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, chemical compound,
substance, or apparatus for the purpose of affecting temperature,
weather, or the intensity of sunlight.
Sec. 303.002. PROHIBITION ON WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL.
A person may not engage in weather modification and control.
Sec. 303.003. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person violates this chapter.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) A person commits a separate offense for each day the violation occurs.
SECTION 2.
Chapters 301 and 302, Agriculture Code, are repealed.
SECTION 3.
The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 4.
(a) An action, including a disciplinary or administrative proceeding, pending under Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, or Chapter 51, Occupations Code, on the effective date of this Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, is dismissed.
(b) An administrative penalty assessed by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation before the effective date of this Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, may be collected as provided by Chapter 51, Occupations Code.
(c) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall return to a person who holds a valid license or permit issued under Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, a prorated portion of the fee paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of the license or permit.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense.
By: Virdell H.B. No. 1382
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control;
creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 9, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Chapter 303 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 303. WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL PROHIBITED
Sec. 303.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "weather
modification and control" means the injection, release, or
dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, chemical compound,
substance, or apparatus for the purpose of affecting temperature,
weather, or the intensity of sunlight.
Sec. 303.002. PROHIBITION ON WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL.
A person may not engage in weather modification and control.
Sec. 303.003. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person violates this chapter.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) A person commits a separate offense for each day the violation occurs.
SECTION 2.
Chapters 301 and 302, Agriculture Code, are repealed.
SECTION 3.
The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 4.
(a) An action, including a disciplinary or administrative proceeding, pending under Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, or Chapter 51, Occupations Code, on the effective date of this Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, is dismissed.
(b) An administrative penalty assessed by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation before the effective date of this Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, may be collected as provided by Chapter 51, Occupations Code.
(c) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall return to a person who holds a valid license or permit issued under Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, a prorated portion of the fee paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of the license or permit.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.