Tennessee Bill Enacting Consequences For Geoengineering, Weather Modification Fails In Senate Committee

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Legislation that would make geoengineering and weather modification a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee failed Wednesday in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 1033, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), would allow the attorney general and local district attorneys to investigate credible reports of violations of an already existing law banning geoengineering.

In her explanation of the bill, Bowling noted that the bill was timely, given that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has recently announced new policies for “safeguarding human health and the environment.”

With no questions on the bill, a roll call vote was taken. The bill failed with 5 nays and 4 ayes.

Joining with two Democrats on the Committee, Republicans voting against the bill were Senators Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins/Sullivan Counties-District 4), Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1), and Shane Reeves (R-Bedford/Cannon/Moore/Rutherford Counties-District 14).

The companion House Bill 1112 (HB1112), sponsored by State Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), passed on the House floor on Monday with a vote of 69-21.