2019 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40

INTRODUCED BY R. SHAW


A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING A STUDY OF WEATHER MODIFICATION LAWS; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 67TH LEGISLATURE.

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING A STUDY OF WEATHER MODIFICATION LAWS; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 67TH LEGISLATURE.

 

     WHEREAS, weather modification is an environmentally friendly way to generate more precipitation from clouds in the form of rain or snow; and

     WHEREAS, weather modification is also known as "cloud seeding" and can improve a cloud's efficiency; and

     WHEREAS, weather modification techniques are known to enhance precipitation, suppress damaging hail, and mitigate fog; and

     WHEREAS, the technology was developed in the 1940s, and Montana's regulations on the subject date to that time; and

     WHEREAS, weather modification has proven to increase snowpack and rainfall under proper administration; and

     WHEREAS, Montana's regulatory framework for weather modification needs to be reexamined to allow for increased use of the technique; and

     WHEREAS, the Montana Legislature recognizes the importance of robust water supplies and the threat of drought through the efforts of the Water Policy Interim Committee, which may be best suited to conduct this legislative study.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

     That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to review current state laws related to weather modification and to propose changes in order to encourage use of this scientific technique.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study consider:

     (1) reports and analyses from university, government, and private industry researchers and engineers;

     (2) regulatory practices in other states and Canadian provinces;

     (3) input from agricultural producers, airport authorities, conservationists, conservation districts, irrigators, practitioners, private industry, researchers, ski resorts, state and local governments, water users, and other potentially affected parties.      

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2020.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 67th Legislature.

- END -

 


Latest Version of HJ 40 (HJ0040.ENR)
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