Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Kentucky House Bill HB60

Introduced
1/7/26  
Refer
1/7/26  
Refer
1/14/26  

Caption

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.

Impact

If enacted, HB 60 would amend existing Kentucky laws by including stringent penalties for activities classified as 'criminal atmospheric pollution.' This would criminalize certain geoengineering acts and impose significant financial penalties on individuals or entities found guilty of such activities. The bill reinforces the state's constitutional right to determine public policy without federal overreach, and it aims to ensure that local environments are not subject to potentially harmful interventions that lack thorough consideration of their risks.

Summary

House Bill 60 addresses the issue of geoengineering by prohibiting various atmospheric manipulation activities intended to alter the environment. The bill defines geoengineering acts such as weather modification, solar radiation modification, and stratospheric aerosol injection, and articulates the potential harmful effects these interventions may have on health, safety, and the environment. It emphasizes the state's authority to safeguard its natural resources and public health from such interventions, indicating a strong protective stance on environmental policies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 60 seems to reflect a protective and precautionary approach to environmental governance. Supporters of the bill view it as a necessary measure to safeguard Kentucky's environment and public health against unregulated geoengineering practices. However, it may also raise concerns among those who argue that such stringent restrictions could stifle scientific inquiry and technological advancements in climate interventions, suggesting a nuanced division in opinions regarding the balance of environmental safety and innovation.

Contention

A notable point of contention within the discussions on HB 60 revolves around the appropriate balancing act between environmental protection and the exploration of geoengineering technologies that could potentially mitigate climate change. Proponents argue that the risks associated with geoengineering far outweigh any speculative benefits, while opponents may call for further analysis before outright bans, suggesting that there should be a framework for responsible research and experimentation in geoengineering rather than total prohibition.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KY HB22

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.

KY SB62

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.

KY HB700

AN ACT relating to cervids.

KY SB245

AN ACT relating to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and declaring an emergency.

KY HB561

AN ACT relating to Women Veterans Appreciation Day and declaring an emergency.

KY SB108

AN ACT relating to solar energy.

KY SB249

AN ACT relating to telecommunications.

KY SCR67

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force to study disaster mitigation, risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, and planning for natural disasters that impact the Commonwealth.

KY HCR78

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force to study disaster mitigation, risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, and planning for natural disasters that impact the Commonwealth.

KY SB4

AN ACT relating to protection of information and declaring an emergency.

Similar Bills

CA SB599

An act to amend Section 347 of the Water Code, relating to atmospheric rivers.

US SB322

Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts ActThis bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program.In carrying out the program, NOAA must seek to reduce loss of life and property and other economic losses caused by atmospheric river events through research and development on accurate, effective, and actionable forecasting and warnings. The program must generally involve the establishment of quantitative atmospheric river forecast skill metrics, the development of an atmospheric river forecast system within a unified forecast system, and the development of tools and products to predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river landfalls and inland penetration, among other activities. The program must periodically test and evaluate the value of incorporating innovative observations (e.g., observations from radar, aircraft, ocean buoys, and other sources) to facilitate the improvement of modeling and forecasting. The program must also consider the development of best practices for communicating the existence and severity of atmospheric river events, as well as other information about atmospheric rivers. The program may seek to improve precipitation modeling, with an emphasis on forecasting for complex terrain. The bill also requires NOAA to acquire and sustain adequate crewed and uncrewed aircraft (i.e., drones), equipment, and personnel necessary to meet air reconnaissance mission requirements annually during the expected atmospheric river season (November through March). 

KY HB22

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.

KY SB62

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.

US HB4302

Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act

HI SB547

Relating To Water Conservation.

HI SB547

Relating To Water Conservation.

KY SB25

AN ACT relating to geoengineering.