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.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
Prohibitions
The bill makes it illegal for any "weather-related company" to do the following activities in Tennessee:
- Cloud seeding or releasing substances into clouds or fog to change drop size, create ice crystals, clump droplets, affect hail or lightning, or otherwise change how clouds naturally develop
- Using fires or heat to change air movement or to evaporate fog
- Changing how the earth or clouds absorb or reflect sunlight by releasing gases, dust, liquids, or aerosols into the air
- Changing the surface of land or water by adding powders, sprays, dyes, or other materials
Definitions
The bill defines a "weather-related company" as any public or private group that provides weather forecasting, modelling, data analysis, environmental assessments, weather modification, or cloud seeding services.
Enforcement
Breaking these rules counts as an unfair or deceptive act under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act of 1977, and the Attorney General can enforce them.
Penalties
Violators face a Class B misdemeanour, which can result in up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $500, as well as other civil penalties under the Consumer Protection Act.
Notable Limitations
The ban only applies to "weather-related companies," not to all weather modification activities. So, groups that do not fit this definition, such as general aviation operators, farmers, or government agencies not primarily focused on weather, seem to be excluded from the ban.
History
SB 723 was introduced on February 4, 2025, and moved quickly through the initial procedural stages. The bill passed first consideration on February 10 and second consideration on February 12, when it was referred to the Senate Commerce and Labour Committee. On March 7, 2025, it was assigned to the General Subcommittee of the Commerce and Labour Committee, where it currently awaits a hearing.
Representative Todd sponsors the companion bill HB 899 in the House, while Senator Lowe carries the Senate version. The routing to Commerce and Labour (rather than Environment or Judiciary) reflects the bill's consumer protection framing. The fiscal note dated February 20, 2025, found no significant fiscal or commercial impact, with analysts assuming minimal prosecutions and manageable complaints by existing Attorney General staff.
- 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
Consolidated Bill Text
By Todd
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:
(1) "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;
(2) "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
(3) "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:
(1) Seeding or dispersing of any substance into clouds or fog, to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals or coagulation of droplets, alter the development of hail or lightning, or influence in any way the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment;
(2) Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation or evaporate fog;
(3) 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.
Supplementary documents
SB 723 – HB 899
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 20, 2025
SUMMARY OF BILL
Prohibits weather-related companies from engaging in cloud seeding and certain other weather modification activities. Establishes a violation of such is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
FISCAL IMPACT
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
Any increase in the number of complaints handled by the Attorney General is estimated to be not significant and can be handled by existing staff during normal work hours.
Committing an unfair or deceptive practice under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 is a Class B misdemeanor offense.
There will not be a sufficient number of prosecutions for state or local government to experience any significant increase in revenue or expenditures.
IMPACT TO COMMERCE
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumption:
Any impact to commerce or jobs in Tennessee is estimated to be not significant.
CERTIFICATION
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director