Assigned to NR AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
prohibition; geoengineering
Purpose
Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing by any means any chemical, chemical compound, substance or apparatus within the borders of Arizona with the express purpose of solar radiation management.
Background
Arizona requires any person or corporation, other than the United States and its administrative agencies or the state, to obtain a license from the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) prior to conducting any weather control or cloud modification operations or attempts to artificially produce rainfall. Each licensee must, within 90 days after the conclusion of any weather control or cloud modification project, file with the Director of ADWR a final evaluation of the project. Any individual or corporation engaging in manufacturing, selling, leasing or licensing equipment and supplies designed for weather control or cloud modification must, before engaging in such activity, procure a license from the Director of ADWR.
Any person conducting weather control or cloud modification operations without first having procured a license, or who knowingly makes a false statement in the application for license, or who knowingly fails to file any statutorily required report or evaluation, or who conducts any weather control or cloud modification operation after revocation of his or its license, or who violates any other statutory requirement is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor (A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 9). A class three misdemeanor has a maximum prison sentence of 30 days and a maximum fine of $500 (A.R.S. ยงยง 13-707 and 13-802).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing by any means any chemical, chemical compound, substance or apparatus within the borders of Arizona with the express purpose of solar radiation management.
2. Stipulates that solar radiation management includes the injection of stratospheric aerosols that increase atmospheric reflectivity or decrease the intensity of sunlight.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Removes the repeal of the licensing, reporting, fee and penalty regulations relating to weather control and cloud modification.
2. Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing by any means any chemical, chemical compound, substance or apparatus within the borders of Arizona for the express purpose of solar radiation management, rather than the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather or the intensity of sunlight.
3. Stipulates that solar radiation management includes the injection of stratospheric aerosols that increase atmospheric reflectivity or decrease the intensity of sunlight.
4. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
NR 2/18/25 DPA 4-3-1
Prepared by Senate Research
February 19, 2025
SB/SN/slp