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SB 1033

Air Pollution - As introduced, designates the intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight, or supplying or otherwise providing the chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus required for the conduct, as a Class A misdemeanor; makes other changes related to investigations and enforcement related to weather modification. - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 2 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Janice Bowling

Criminalizes intentional weather modification in Tennessee, imposing a Class A misdemeanor and a $100,000 fine per violation, with AG/DA investigative authority.

Failed in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1033

Summary of Bill: SB 1033 / HB 1112 (Tennessee, 114th General Assembly)

Title and purpose

  • Bill designates intentional weather modification activities—specifically injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals or related apparatus to affect temperature, weather, or solar intensity—as offenses under state law.
  • It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 58 (Environment) and Title 68 (Weather modification enforcement) to clarify investigations and penalties.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025 (applies to conduct occurring on or after that date).

Main intent

  • Prohibit and penalize weather modification activities conducted within Tennessee borders.
  • Create enforcement pathways for investigating alleged weather-modification offenses, including the involvement of the Attorney General and local district attorneys.
  • Establish a substantial fine per violation in addition to a misdemeanor conviction.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 – Authorized studies related to emergency mitigation

  • Recasts the list of state agencies that must study emergency mitigation-related matters at the governor’s direction to include agencies with responsibilities in flood plain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and planning, and construction standards.
  • This broadens the scope of agencies targeted for studies on emergency mitigation.

Section 2 – New offense and penalties (amends § 68-201-122)

  • Creates an offense:
    • (a)(1) Intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals, substances, or apparatus to affect temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity within Tennessee.
    • (a)(2) Supply or provide chemicals/substances/apparatus for the described conduct, with knowledge or reason to believe they will be used for weather modification.
  • Investigative authority:
    • Allows the Attorney General and Reporter (AG) and local district attorneys to investigate credible reports of violations, or harmful consequences of an emergency that reasonably suggest weather modification occurred or might have occurred.
  • Penalties:
    • Subsection (a) violations are Class A misdemeanors.
    • Additionally, if a department determines a violation occurred, a civil fine of $100,000 per violation is imposed.
    • Each instance of injecting/releasing/dispersing or supplying the materials constitutes a separate violation.

Who is affected

  • Individuals or entities that intentionally engage in weather modification activities within Tennessee.
  • Suppliers or providers of chemicals, substances, or apparatus used for weather modification, when done with knowledge of intended use for such activities.
  • State agencies, including the Department of Environment and Conservation (APC) and agencies involved in emergency management and enforcement, for potential investigations and enforcement actions.
  • The AG and local district attorneys, who would have authority to investigate and prosecute violators.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enforcement agencies:
    • Investigations may be pursued by the AG and local district attorneys upon credible reports or reasonably believed harmful weather-modification consequences.
  • Classification and penalties:
    • Violations are Class A misdemeanors.
    • Each violation carries a separate $100,000 fine deemed by the relevant department.
  • Effective date:
    • Provisions apply to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
  • Status note (as of provided history):
    • The bill was noted to have failed in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee on March 26, 2025, after previously being referred and considered.

Fiscal impact (per analysis)

  • Officials estimate the fiscal impact as not significant.
  • Anticipated that existing APC resources can handle additional duties; investigations by AG/local DAs would not require substantial new resources given expected low case volume.
  • Revenue impact from fines is not expected to be significant due to low anticipated prosecutions.

Bottom line

SB 1033 / HB 1112 would criminalize the intentional modification of weather by injecting or distributing certain chemicals or related equipment in Tennessee, with substantial penalties of Class A misdemeanor status plus a $100,000 per-violation fine. It also authorizes state and local prosecutors to investigate credible reports and aligns emergency mitigation studies among multiple state agencies. The measure is designed to deter and penalize weather-modification activities and to clarify enforcement pathways, but as of the provided action history, it did not advance in one Senate committee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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