GeoLawWatch: Tracking Weather & Climate Legislation

Bill summary (AI generated)

The bill titled "Harmful atmospheric activity; and to provide a penalty" aims to establish a legal framework in North Dakota to address and regulate activities deemed harmful to the atmosphere. This legislative initiative would create a new chapter in Title 23.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. If enacted into law, it would likely set forth a series of definitions, restrictions, and penalties related to various harmful atmospheric activities. Under this bill, the state government would have the authority to identify what constitutes "harmful atmospheric activity," potentially including emissions from industrial processes, false meteorological practices, or other activities that negatively impact air quality or contribute to climate change. Entities engaging in such harmful practices may be subjected to monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with established standards. Penalties for violations of this law could include fines, remediation measures, or other forms of enforcement aimed at deter others from engaging in similar activities. The specific details of the penalties, however, as well as the procedural aspects of enforcement, would be elaborated in the subsequent regulations and guidelines developed under this chapter. Overall, the bill represents an effort by the state to take proactive measures in safeguarding air quality and addressing environmental concerns related to atmospheric harm, indicating a shift towards greater accountability for actions that impact the public and environmental health.