Tennessee : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB0899
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
Sponsor: Rep Chris Todd & Rep Rusty Grills & Rep Johnny Garrett & Rep Jason Zachary & Rep Jerome Moon & Rep Elaine Davis
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 Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201) to prohibit specific atmospheric manipulation activities by entities defined as "weather-related companies".
• Definitions: The bill creates definitions for:
â—¦ "Cloud seeding": A weather modification method for directing rainfall by injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere.
â—¦ "Weather modification": An activity or service by a public or private entity intended to change the atmosphere's composition, behavior, or dynamics.
â—¦ "Weather-related company": A public or private entity offering services such as weather forecasting, atmospheric assessments, weather modification, or cloud seeding.
• Prohibited Activities: It is unlawful for a weather-related company to engage in any of the following activities in the state:
â—¦ Cloud Seeding/Atmospheric Alteration: Seeding or dispersing any substance into clouds or fog to alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals, or influence the clouds' natural development cycle (cloud seeding).
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 land or water surfaces by dusting or treating them with materials such as powders, liquid sprays, or dyes.
• Penalties and Enforcement: A violation constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 and is subject to the penalties and remedies provided in that Act.
• Effective Date: The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.
History
The bill was filed for introduction on February 4, 2025, and was subsequently assigned to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on February 6. It then moved to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on February 10, where additional sponsors were added on February 14. Currently, the bill is still active and will continue through committee reviews, where it may be debated, amended, and eventually voted on before progressing to the wider legislative assembly for further consideration.
- Tue 04 Feb 2025 Filed for introduction
- Wed 05 Feb 2025 Intro., P1C.
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
- Mon 10 Feb 2025 Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
- Fri 14 Feb 2025 Sponsor(s) Added.
Bill text (Transcribed)
Tennessee : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB0899
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
HOUSE BILL 899 By Todd
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.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 68, Chapter 201, relative to weather modification.
HOUSE BILL 899 By Todd
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.