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LD 825

An Act To Prohibit Geoengineering, Including The Use Of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves And Microwave Radiation

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Black and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits geoengineering and weather-modification activities, with DEP enforcement and new funding to handle added staffing and outreach.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 825

Summary of LD 825: An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation

Overview

  • Bill number/title: LD 825, An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
  • Status: Placed in the Legislative Files (DEAD)
  • Introduced: March 4, 2025
  • Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
  • Primary objective: Prohibit activities that constitute or involve geoengineering, including cloud seeding, weather modification, and excessive radio/microwave radiation; require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce the prohibition.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits activities that constitute or involve geoengineering and related weather-modification techniques.
  • Instructs DEP to enforce the prohibition, including compliance, investigation, and outreach.
  • By design, the bill would trigger additional DEP workload requiring new positions and funding (see Fiscal Impact).

Enforcement and Agency Impacts

  • Enforcement: DEP would be responsible for enforcing the geoengineering prohibition.
  • Staffing if enacted: The fiscal notes anticipate hiring:
    • 1 Environmental Specialist III
    • 1 Senior Meteorologist
    • Associated personnel costs
  • Outreach and compliance: Increased outreach and investigative activities beyond current capacity.

Fiscal Impact (General Fund)

  • Preliminary/Amended Fiscal Note (Original bill and amendments):
    • Ongoing General Fund appropriations starting in FY 2025-26
    • Amounts:
    • FY 2025-26: $217,316
    • FY 2026-27: $233,189
    • FY 2027-28: $237,167
    • FY 2028-29: $246,741
  • Source of funding: General Fund, to cover added DEP staffing and related costs.
  • Potential revenue: The bill notes the possibility of future General Fund or other dedicated revenue from fines collected for violations.
  • Judicial/correctional impact: Expected only for a minimal number of new felony cases; no additional funding required at this time. Potential future revenue from fines could affect General Fund or other revenues.

Affected Parties

  • Department: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responsible for enforcement.
  • Public and regulated entities: Any individuals or organizations engaged in geoengineering activities or related weather-modification practices would be affected by the prohibition.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • 2025-03-04: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources.
  • 2025-03-19 to 2025-05-09: Work sessions and committee reports; passage considerations (ONTP/OTP-AM and related motions).
  • 2025-05-13 to 2025-05-14: Reports and concurrence actions; Majority Ought Not to Pass recommended; bill ultimately placed in Legislative Files as Dead.
  • 2025-05-14: Final disposition shows the bill placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

Notable Details

  • The fiscal notes indicate the DEP cannot absorb the added compliance, investigatory, and outreach workload within existing staffing, justifying ongoing General Fund appropriations.
  • The bill’s fiscal notes emphasize the potential for future fines to generate revenue but acknowledge the current workload as the primary concern.

Bottom Line

LD 825 proposes a comprehensive ban on geoengineering and related weather-modification activities, with DEP enforcement and new funding to support added staff. While it progressed through committees and underwent fiscal analysis, the bill was ultimately placed in the Legislative Files as Dead. If revived, DEP staffing and funding would be central considerations for any future proposal to prohibit geoengineering activities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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