Mississippi : 2025 Regular Session : BILL SB2005
Mississippi geoengineering ban; enact.
Sponsor: Sen Angela Burks Hill
Bill Details
An Act To Declare Certain Legislative Findings Relating To Geoengineering; To Amend Section 49-17-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define The Term "geoengineering" Within The Mississippi Air And Water Pollution Control Law; To Amend Section 49-17-17, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Give The Mississippi Air And Water Pollution Control Commission Authority To Issue, Modify Or Revoke Orders Related To Geoengineering; To Amend Section 49-17-19, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit Geoengineering In Mississippi And To Create Penalties For Violations; And For Related Purposes.
Bill summary (AI generated)
Bill Summary: The Mississippi Geoengineering Ban Act aims to prohibit geoengineering practices in the state and establishes penalties for violations. The legislation includes several key amendments to the Mississippi Code to define geoengineering and outline the authority of the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission in relation to these activities. Key Provisions: 1. **Definition of Geoengineering**: Geoengineering is defined as the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. 2. **Prohibition**: The act explicitly bans all geoengineering activities within Mississippi. This encompasses any actions undertaken with the intent of altering atmospheric conditions. 3. **Authority and Enforcement**: The Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission is given the authority to issue, modify, or revoke orders related to geoengineering. The Commission is tasked with monitoring compliance with the ban and is empowered to enact regulations to enforce this prohibition. 4. **Penalties**: Violators of the ban on geoengineering will face severe penalties. The act classifies violations as felonies, subjecting individuals or entities to fines of no less than $500,000 and potential imprisonment for a minimum of two years. Each day a violation occurs constitutes a separate offense, and violators may also be subjected to laws related to pollution. 5. **Implementation Date**: The act stipulates that it will take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill reflects an overall intent to safeguard public health and environmental integrity against the unknown risks associated with geoengineering activities.
History
The bill was initially filed and referred to the Environment Protection, Conservation, and Water Resources Committee in January 2025. However, it did not progress beyond the committee stage and was recorded as having "died in committee," indicating it will not advance any further in the legislature. As a result, the bill has failed and will not be enacted into law. There are no further steps for this bill since it is no longer active.
- Fri 10 Jan 2025 Referred To Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res
- Tue 04 Feb 2025 Died In Committee