(a) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation by rule, to the extent it considers exemptions practical, shall provide for exempting the following activities from the license and permit requirements of this chapter:
(1) research, development, and experiments conducted by state and federal agencies, institutions of higher learning, and bona fide nonprofit research organizations;
(2) laboratory research and experiments;
(3) activities of an emergent nature for protection against fire, frost, sleet, or fog; and
(4) activities normally conducted for purposes other than inducing, increasing, decreasing, or preventing precipitation or hail.
(b) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation by rule may modify or revoke an exemption.