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.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
HB 1382 would repeal Texas's existing Weather Modification and Control Program (Chapters 301 and 302 of the Agriculture Code) and replace it with a complete prohibition on weather modification activities.
The bill defines "weather modification and control" as 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. This definition encompasses traditional cloud seeding, solar radiation management, and potentially other atmospheric interventions.
Violations would constitute a Class A misdemeanor—the most serious misdemeanor classification in Texas, punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000. Critically, each day of violation constitutes a separate offence, creating cumulative liability for ongoing activities.
The bill includes transitional provisions addressing the dismantling of the existing regulatory program. Pending disciplinary or administrative proceedings related to the current weather modification licensing regime would be dismissed upon the effective date. However, administrative penalties already assessed before the effective date could still be collected. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation would be required to return prorated portions of license and permit fees to current valid license holders.
The criminal prohibition would apply only to offences committed on or after September 1, 2025, with the former law continuing to apply to any offence in which any element occurred before that date.
History
HB 1382 was filed by Representative Virdell on November 18, 2024, during the pre-filing period for the 89th Legislature. The bill received its first reading on March 11, 2025 and was referred to the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures—an appropriate assignment given that the bill would repeal a licensing program administered by TDLR.
The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025, at which testimony was taken and registrations recorded. A committee substitute was also considered during this hearing, indicating potential amendments were under discussion. However, the bill was left pending in committee rather than voted out.
Texas operates on a biennial schedule with no regular session in even-numbered years, meaning the 2025 session represents the only opportunity for this bill to advance until 2027. The bill remaining pending in committee as the session progresses suggests uncertain prospects for floor consideration. The committee's consideration of a substitute version indicates some members may be interested in modifying the bill's approach, though the nature of proposed changes is not reflected in the available record.
- 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
Consolidated Bill Text
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.
Supplementary documents
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 21, 2025
TO: Honorable Dade Phelan, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1382 by Virdell (Relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would repeal the Weather Modification and Control Program administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The bill would create a Class A misdemeanor offense of engaging in weather modification and control.
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed by utilizing existing resources.
It is assumed that any impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources would not be significant.
Local Government Impact
It is assumed that any fiscal impact to units of local government associated with enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or confinement would not be significant.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation
LBB Staff: JMc, TUf, AMr, MGol