Texas : 2025 Regular Session : BILL HB3740
Relating to chemicals and techniques used in weather modification and control.
Sponsor: Rep Joanne Shofner & Rep Caroline Harris Davila & Rep Janis Holt & Rep Helen Kerwin & Rep David Lowe & Rep Don McLaughlin & Rep Mike Olcott & Rep Tom Oliverson & Rep Valoree Swanson & Rep Ellen Troxclair
Bill Details
Relating to chemicals and techniques used in weather modification and control.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
HB 3740 would add a new section to the existing Weather Modification and Control Program requiring approval of chemicals and techniques before use in weather modification operations.
Under the proposed Section 301.118, license holders would be prohibited from using any chemical or technique for weather modification and control unless it has been specifically approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for that use. This creates a pre-approval framework rather than the current system, where licensed operators select their own methods within general regulatory guidelines.
The bill establishes a mandatory health-based exclusion: TDLR may not approve any chemical or technique if it is known to cause harm to human health when used for weather modification purposes. The specified health concerns include harm to the human endocrine, nervous, respiratory, or reproductive systems.
In making approval determinations, TDLR may obtain assistance from the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Health and Human Services Commission, or any other entity TDLR deems appropriate. This interagency consultation framework is permissive rather than mandatory.
TDLR is directed to adopt rules necessary to implement the new section as soon as practicable after the effective date.
The bill includes an immediate-effect provision contingent on a two-thirds vote in both chambers; otherwise, it takes effect on September 1, 2025.
History
HB 3740 was filed by Representative Shofner on March 4, 2025, receiving its first reading on March 26, 2025 with referral to the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures—the same committee considering HB 1382, which would repeal weather modification entirely.
As of the available record, the bill remains in committee without a scheduled hearing. The presence of both HB 1382 (prohibition) and HB 3740 (enhanced regulation) before the same committee presents an interesting policy choice: Texas legislators could choose to ban weather modification, strengthen oversight of the existing program, or take no action and leave current law unchanged.
The two bills represent fundamentally different responses to concerns about weather modification—HB 1382 reflecting the view that such activities should not occur at all, while HB 3740 reflects the view that they may continue under stricter safety controls. How the committee handles these competing approaches will signal the legislature's direction on atmospheric modification policy.
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 Filed
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Read first time
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Consolidated Bill Text
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to chemicals and techniques used in weather modification and control.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Section 301.118 to read as follows:
Sec. 301.118. USE OF CERTAIN CHEMICALS AND TECHNIQUES. (a) A license holder may not use a chemical or technique for weather modification and control unless the chemical or technique has been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for that use.
(b) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation may not approve a chemical or technique for use in weather modification and control if the chemical or technique is known to cause harm to human health, including harm to the human endocrine, nervous, respiratory, or reproductive system, when used for that purpose.
(c) In determining whether to approve a chemical or technique for use in weather modification and control, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation may obtain the assistance of:
(1) the Department of Agriculture;
(2) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(3) the Health and Human Services Commission; or
(4) any other entity the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation deems appropriate.
(d) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules as required by Section 301.118, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.