New Hampshire : 2013 Regular Session : BILL HB179
Repealing the law on weather modification experimentation.
Sponsor: Rep Stella Tremblay & Rep Jeanine Notter & Rep Patrick Abrami
Bill Details
Repealing the law on weather modification experimentation.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
This bill would repeal RSA 12-F, New Hampshire’s weather modification experimentation law. It does not add new bans, enforcement, or penalties. Instead, it would remove state agencies' authorisation to conduct weather modification experiments with Governor and Council approval.
If the bill passed, state agencies would no longer have explicit legal authority to conduct weather modification experiments or collaborate with the federal government on these activities.
The bill is brief, with two sections and no unusual provisions. It does not include findings, a replacement plan, or reasons for repeal.
History
HB 179 was introduced on January 3, 2013, and assigned to the Science, Technology and Energy Committee. The bill received its first public hearing on January 22, 2013, which was recessed - an unusual procedural step indicating the hearing could not be completed in the allotted time, suggesting significant public interest or testimony. A continuation hearing was scheduled for January 29, followed immediately by a work session.
The committee held an executive session on February 5, 2013, and reported a 12-7 "Inexpedient to Legislate" recommendation on February 6. Unlike later weather modification bills, which would be placed on the Consent Calendar (indicating noncontroversial, unanimous rejection), HB 179 was placed on the Regular Calendar, reflecting the divided committee vote. The full House adopted the ITL motion by voice vote on February 13, 2013, killing the bill. The 12-7 committee split indicates this issue generated honest debate in 2013, in contrast to the unanimous 5-0 rejection that the nearly identical SB 520 would receive seven years later in 2020.
- Thu 03 Jan 2013 Introduced 1/3/2013 and Referred to Science, Technology and Energy; House Journal 12, PG.185
- Wed 16 Jan 2013 Public Hearing: 1/22/2013 11:00 Amendment Legislative Office Building 304 ==RECESSED==
- Wed 23 Jan 2013 Public Hearing: 1/29/2013 10:00 Amendment Legislative Office Building 304
- Wed 23 Jan 2013 Full Committee Work Session: 1/29/2013 10:15 Amendment Legislative Office Building 304
- Thu 31 Jan 2013 Executive Session: 2/5/2013 1:00 PM Legislative Office Building 304
- Wed 06 Feb 2013 Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for Feb 13 (Vote 12-7; Regular Calendar); House Calendar 13, PG.215
- Wed 13 Feb 2013 Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote; House Journal 17, PG.344
Consolidated Bill Text
2013 SESSION
13-0183
05/01
HOUSE BILL 179
AN ACT repealing the law on weather modification experimentation.
SPONSORS: Rep. Tremblay, Rock 4; Rep. Notter, Hills 21; Rep. Abrami, Rock 19
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
ANALYSIS
This bill repeals the law permitting state agencies to participate in weather modification experimentation.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT repealing the law on weather modification experimentation.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Repeal. RSA 12-F, relative to weather modification experimentation, is repealed.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.