SB 1368 - The act creates new provisions relating to weather modification. The act provides that no person or entity shall engage in weather modification in the state. If a person or entity commits a violation under the act, the person or entity shall be subject to certain penalties, as described in the act. Any individual may report violations of the act to the Department of Natural Resources. If the Department finds that a violation occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant relief, as described in the act. The Department shall create a publicly accessible form online for the purpose of reporting instances of weather modification in the state. The Department shall establish a screening method of such reports and shall investigate every report for any violations. All moneys collected from civil penalties shall be deposited into the Natural Resources Protection Fund. Beginning on or after January 1, 2027, all operators of airports in the state shall submit monthly reports to the Department detailing any physical presence of any aircraft, or the landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of the aircraft, on the premises of the airport if the aircraft is used for or has components or parts used for the purpose of weather modification. The Department shall review the reports to determine whether any violations occurred. If any violations occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action, as described in the act. The Department shall submit such reports to the Department of Transportation on a quarterly basis. The Department of Transportation shall not expend any state funds to any airport project or program if the airport has any aircraft on its premises that is engaged in weather modification. JULIA SHEVELEVA

2026 Regular Session

SB 1368 establishes regulatory framework for weather modification activities in Missouri, including licensing, operational standards, and state oversight of cloud seeding and related techniques.

Second Read and Referred S Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee

Legislative bill overview

SB 1368 establishes a legal framework for weather modification activities in Missouri, likely defining licensing requirements, operational standards, and oversight mechanisms for entities engaged in weather modification programs. The bill creates provisions to regulate cloud seeding, hail suppression, and other weather modification techniques within the state.

Why is this important

Weather modification raises both scientific and regulatory questions about environmental impact, public health, and interstate coordination. Clear statutory guidelines help ensure that any weather modification activities are conducted safely, transparently, and with appropriate public disclosure and oversight.

Potential points of contention

Scientific uncertainty: Disagreement exists among experts about the efficacy and unintended consequences of weather modification techniques, making regulatory standards difficult to establish

Property rights and liability: Questions about who bears responsibility if weather modification causes damage, or if it affects precipitation patterns in neighboring areas or downstream communities

Transparency and disclosure: Balancing proprietary business interests of weather modification companies against public's right to know what activities are occurring in their airspace and how they might be affected