FRANKFORT, Ky. — Three Republican lawmakers presented testimony to the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary on July 2, asking their colleagues to consider creating penalties for geoengineering activities in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

Rep. John Hodgson of Fisherville, Sen. Steve Rawlings of Burlington and Rep. Jim Gooch Jr. of Providence all spoke in favor of the proposal, which lawmakers have discussed in past sessions. Hodgson and Rawlings introduced legislation in the 2026 session intended to outlaw intentional weather manipulation and atmospheric pollution, but the measure stalled in committee.

Hodgson defined geoengineering as "attempts by government or even non-governmental actors to modify the global climate or temperature, like playing God with the weather," and explained methods including stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening and cirrus cloud thinning.

The proposed Kentucky legislation would make violations a Class D felony with a $500,000 fine. "A class D felony is necessary because a fine of any size would not be a deterrent for the federal government or for wealthy NGOs who are interested in carrying out these activities," Hodgson said during Thursday's hearing.

Kentucky's effort comes as dozens of other states pursue similar measures. Tennessee passed geoengineering legislation in 2024, while Florida and Louisiana enacted bans in 2025. As of April 2026, at least 37 states have proposed restrictions on geoengineering, weather modification and atmospheric aerosol release.

During the hearing, Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser of Taylor Mill asked why a corporation would intentionally engage in geoengineering. Hodgson referenced cloud seeding, where silver iodide is injected into clouds to form ice crystals and make rain or snow over farmlands or ski areas. Eight or nine western states license and permit the activity, he said.

Hodgson clarified that geoengineering does not include contrails from jet aircraft, crop dusting, ground source pollution or airport fog control. The main purpose of the bill, he said, is to express state sovereignty and convince Congress to act on the issue.

The Kentucky General Assembly cannot take up legislation until it convenes in a regular or special session. The next regular session is scheduled to begin in January 2027.