The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A conservative lawmaker has filed a bill to make any kind of geoengineering or weather modification a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee.
Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), who sponsored a bill prohibiting such activity within the borders of the state last year, is sponsoring House Bill 1112 (HB1112) with the companion Senate Bill 1033 (SB1033) being run by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16).
While last year’s legislation prohibited “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,” the new law included no enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance.
HB1112/SB1033 would allow the state Attorney General, along with local district attorneys to investigate violations of the law. If a report is found to be credible, offending parties would face a fine of $100,000 per violation.
Anyone found supplying or “otherwise providing” chemicals or substances for purposes of weather modification would likewise be subject to the same penalty.
Fritts’ bill is one of two bills this legislative session to be introduced that seeks to provide a means of enforcement of existing state law.
Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73) and Senator Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1) are running legislation that would make weather modification activities a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
Todd’s bill would allow the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and the Tennessee Attorney General’s office to investigate potential violations and issue penalties for noncompliance. It would also give Tennesseans the right to seek damages.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
