Tennessee : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL SB0723
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
Sponsor: Sen Adam Lowe
Bill Details
As introduced, makes it a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 for a weather-related company to conduct certain weather modification activities. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201.
Bill summary (AI generated)
• Aims and Scope: The bill amends the Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201) to prohibit "weather-related companies" from engaging in various activities intended to modify the atmosphere within the state.
• Prohibited Activities: It is unlawful for a weather-related company to engage in specific atmospheric alterations, including:
â—¦ Cloud Seeding: Seeding or dispersing any substance into clouds or fog to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals, or influence the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment.
â—¦ Solar Radiation Modification (Geoengineering): Modifying the solar radiation exchange of the earth or clouds through the release of gases, dusts, liquids, or aerosols into the atmosphere.
â—¦ Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation or evaporate fog.
â—¦ Modifying the characteristics of land or water surfaces by dusting or treating them with powders, liquid sprays, dyes, or other materials.
• Definitions: The bill defines a "weather-related company" as a public or private entity that offers services such as weather forecasting, modeling and data analysis, atmospheric and environmental assessments, weather modification, or cloud seeding.
â—¦ The bill explicitly includes both cloud seeding and methods of solar radiation modification (geoengineering) within its list of prohibited activities for these companies.
• Penalties: A violation constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. Violators are subject to the penalties and remedies provided in that Act.
• Existing Legislation Context: This bill follows Tennessee's passage of a ban on geoengineering and weather modification in 2024 (Public Chapter 709). This new bill appears to create a specific civil enforcement mechanism targeting the entities defined as "weather-related companies" via consumer protection law.
• Effective Date: The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
History
The bill was filed for introduction on February 4, 2025, and was quickly introduced and passed on its first consideration shortly thereafter. It then passed a second consideration, after which it was referred to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for further evaluation. Currently, it has been assigned to the General Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for detailed review. The next steps will involve discussions and potential amendments within the subcommittee before it can move forward to a vote by the full committee. The bill has not failed or passed yet; it is still active and being reviewed.
- Tue 04 Feb 2025 Filed for introduction
- Mon 10 Feb 2025 Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
- Wed 12 Feb 2025 Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
- Fri 07 Mar 2025 Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
Bill text (Transcribed)
Tennessee : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL SB0723
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
SENATE BILL 723 By Lowe
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18, is amended by adding the following as a new part:
47-18-5801. As used in this part:
"Cloud seeding" means a method of weather modification for the purpose of directing rainfall to a specific location by a process of injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere by any means;
"Weather modification" means an activity or service performed by a public or private entity with the expressed purpose of changing the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the atmosphere; and
"Weather-related company" means a public or private entity that offers as a service weather forecasting, modeling and data analysis, atmospheric and environmental assessments, weather modification, or cloud seeding.
47-18-5802. It is unlawful for a weather-related company to do any of the following in this state:
Seeding or dispersing of any substance into clouds or fog, to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals or coagulation of droplets, alter the - 2 - 000655 development of hail or lightning, or influence in any way the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment;
Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation or evaporate fog;
Modifying the solar radiation exchange of the earth or clouds through the release of gases, dusts, liquids, or aerosols into the atmosphere; or (4) Modifying the characteristics of land or water surfaces by dusting or treating the surfaces with powders, liquid sprays, dyes, or other materials. 47-18-5803. A violation of this part constitutes a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, compiled in part 1 of this chapter. A violation of this part constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and is subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 47-18-104(b), is amended by adding the following as a new subdivision: ( ) Violating § 47-18-5802;
SECTION 3. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
SENATE BILL 723 By Lowe
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18, is amended by adding the following as a new part:
47-18-5801. As used in this part:
"Cloud seeding" means a method of weather modification for the purpose of directing rainfall to a specific location by a process of injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere by any means;
"Weather modification" means an activity or service performed by a public or private entity with the expressed purpose of changing the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the atmosphere; and
"Weather-related company" means a public or private entity that offers as a service weather forecasting, modeling and data analysis, atmospheric and environmental assessments, weather modification, or cloud seeding.
47-18-5802. It is unlawful for a weather-related company to do any of the following in this state:
Seeding or dispersing of any substance into clouds or fog, to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals or coagulation of droplets, alter the - 2 - 000655 development of hail or lightning, or influence in any way the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment;
Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation or evaporate fog;
Modifying the solar radiation exchange of the earth or clouds through the release of gases, dusts, liquids, or aerosols into the atmosphere; or (4) Modifying the characteristics of land or water surfaces by dusting or treating the surfaces with powders, liquid sprays, dyes, or other materials. 47-18-5803. A violation of this part constitutes a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, compiled in part 1 of this chapter. A violation of this part constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and is subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 47-18-104(b), is amended by adding the following as a new subdivision: ( ) Violating § 47-18-5802;
SECTION 3. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.