Failed House – Second Reading
North Dakota : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB1514
Harmful atmospheric activity; and to provide a penalty.
atmospheric activity Harmful atmospheric
Bill Details
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 23.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to harmful atmospheric activity; and to provide a penalty.
Bill summary (AI generated)
The proposed bill aims to establish a new chapter in Title 23.1 of the North Dakota Century Code concerning harmful atmospheric activities and includes provisions for penalties related to such activities. **Key Provisions:** 1. **Definitions**: The bill defines terms such as "aircraft," "cloud seeding," "stratospheric aerosol injection," "weather engineering," and "xenobiotic," laying the groundwork for regulatory clarity. 2. **Prohibition of Activities**: It specifies that individuals may not engage in harmful atmospheric activities, including weather engineering, cloud seeding, stratospheric aerosol injection, and other activities that produce harmful emissions or excessive electromagnetic radiation using unmarked or unidentified aircraft or vehicles. 3. **Penalties**: Violating this prohibition is classified as a class C felony, carrying a potential fine of up to five hundred thousand dollars. 4. **Exemptions**: The bill exempts individuals operating aircraft for aerial application of agricultural chemicals or materials from its provisions. 5. **Reporting and Investigation**: Any individual can report suspected harmful atmospheric activities to local authorities, who are obligated to investigate credible claims. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and county sheriffs are tasked with the encouragement of public monitoring and reporting. 6. **Enforcement Actions**: Measures include the authority for the director or sheriff to issue cease orders for any suspected violations. The governor may also request investigations and environmental studies regarding these activities. 7. **Emergency Measures**: The bill details specific emergency response requirements for measuring excessive electromagnetic radiation and other physical agents suspected of harmful effects. In summary, this bill establishes a framework to regulate and penalize harmful atmospheric activities, alongside mechanisms for public reporting and enforcement.
History
The bill was introduced on January 20, 2025, and referred to the Agriculture Committee for consideration. After a committee hearing on February 6, it was reported back with amendments but was recommended not to pass, though it was placed on the legislative calendar for further discussion. On February 21, an amendment was adopted, but during the second reading on February 24, the bill ultimately failed to pass with a vote of 28 in favor and 63 against. As the bill has failed, it will not proceed further unless reintroduced in the future.
- Mon 20 Jan 2025 Introduced, first reading, referred to Agriculture
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 Committee Hearing 10:00 (Agriculture)
- Thu 20 Feb 2025 Reported back amended, do not pass, placed on calendar 7 6 1
- Fri 21 Feb 2025 Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 28 nays 63