By: Virdell H.B. No. 1382
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition on weather modification and control;
creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 9, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 303 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 303. WEATHER MODIFICATION AND CONTROL PROHIBITED
Sec. 303.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "weather
modification and control" means the injection, release, or
dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, chemical compound,
substance, or apparatus for the purpose of affecting temperature,
weather, or the intensity of sunlight.
Sec. 303.002. PROHIBITION ON WEATHER MODIFICATION AND
CONTROL. A person may not engage in weather modification and
control.
Sec. 303.003. ENFORCEMENT. (a) A person commits an offense
if the person violates this chapter.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) A person commits a separate offense for each day the
violation occurs.
SECTION 2. Chapters 301 and 302, Agriculture Code, are
repealed.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 4. (a) An action, including a disciplinary or
administrative proceeding, pending under Chapter 301, Agriculture
Code, or Chapter 51, Occupations Code, on the effective date of this
Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that
chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this Act,
is dismissed.
(b) An administrative penalty assessed by the Texas
Commission of Licensing and Regulation before the effective date of
this Act related to a violation of Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as
that chapter existed immediately before the effective date of this
Act, may be collected as provided by Chapter 51, Occupations Code.
(c) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall
return to a person who holds a valid license or permit issued under
Chapter 301, Agriculture Code, as that chapter existed immediately
before the effective date of this Act, a prorated portion of the fee
paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of the license or
permit.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.