summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 512 to define terms; make criminal atmospheric pollution a Class D felony; require that a person found guilty of criminal atmospheric pollution pay a civil penalty of not less than $500,000 in addition to all other penalties authorized by law; provide that each day that a person engages in criminal atmospheric pollution constitutes a separate offense; empower all peace officers of the Commonwealth to enforce the prohibition on criminal atmospheric pollution; require an arresting officer to issue a notice to any federal agency that approved the action that those activities cannot be lawfully carried out in the Commonwealth.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new law in Kentucky that defines "atmospheric contaminant" as any substance or agent that pollutes the air, including aerosols, chemicals, and radiation, but excludes standard aircraft exhaust. It also defines "atmospheric polluting intervention" as manipulating natural systems by altering atmospheric or environmental conditions through methods like stratospheric aerosol injection (releasing reflective substances high in the atmosphere), cloud seeding (dispersing contaminants to change precipitation), or solar radiation modification (reducing sunlight by releasing contaminants). Engaging in such interventions intentionally or wantonly is classified as criminal atmospheric pollution, a Class D felony, which carries a minimum civil penalty of $500,000, with each day of violation considered a separate offense. All Kentucky peace officers are empowered to enforce this prohibition, and any suspected violations can be reported to them. If a federal agency has approved such an intervention, arresting officers must notify that agency that the activity is not permitted in Kentucky.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice
Sponsors (13)
John Hodgson (R)*,
Shane Baker (R),
Ryan Bivens (R),
Steve Bratcher (R),
Emily Callaway (R),
Josh Calloway (R),
Jennifer Decker (R),
Thomas Huff (R),
Matt Lockett (R),
Candy Massaroni (R),
Marianne Proctor (R),
T.J. Roberts (R),
Richard White (R),
Last Action
recommitted to Judiciary (H) (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb60.html |
| Corrections Impact to House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb60/HCS1CI.pdf |
| House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/HB60/HCS1.pdf |
| Corrections Impact for HCS1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb60/HCS1CI.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb60/orig_bill.pdf |
| Corrections Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb60/CI.pdf |
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