Tennessee Senate advances bills on geoengineering and hunting license fees

In a pivotal meeting on March 26, 2025, the Tennessee Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee advanced significant legislation aimed at regulating geoengineering practices and enhancing hunting and fishing license processing.

Senate Bill 1033, introduced by Senator Bolling, seeks to establish a robust investigative framework and impose penalties for violations related to geoengineering. This bill builds on last year's legislation that prohibited the intentional injection of chemicals into the atmosphere for weather modification. The new bill empowers the Attorney General and local district attorneys to investigate credible reports of such violations and introduces penalties, classifying violations as Class A misdemeanors with fines up to $100,000 per occurrence. Senator Bolling emphasized the urgency of this legislation, noting ongoing federal funding for geoengineering efforts and the need for Tennessee to take a stand on behalf of its citizens.

The committee also voted on Senate Bill 1038, which proposes a uniform $3 fee for processing hunting and fishing licenses. This fee aims to fairly compensate county clerks and retail agents who issue these licenses, addressing concerns raised by clerks about inadequate compensation for their services. The bill passed with strong support, reflecting the committee's commitment to supporting local agents and ensuring continued access to hunting and fishing licenses for Tennesseans.

As these bills move forward, they signal Tennessee's proactive approach to environmental regulation and support for local governance in wildlife management. The committee's actions today could have lasting implications for both environmental policy and recreational activities in the state.