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Bill

SB 449

Enacting the clean air preservation act to prohibit solar radiation modification, geoengineering, weather modification, cloud seeding and other polluting atmospheric experiments or interventions and creating a crime for violation thereof.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas would criminalize solar radiation modification, geoengineering, weather modification, and cloud seeding, banning atmospheric intervention technologies ranging from established agricultural practices to theoretical climate research.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 449

Legislative bill overview

SB 449 would prohibit solar radiation modification, geoengineering, weather modification, cloud seeding, and similar atmospheric interventions in Kansas, establishing criminal penalties for violations. The bill frames these technologies as "polluting atmospheric experiments" and creates legal liability for anyone conducting such activities within the state.

Why is this important

Atmospheric modification technologies exist in varying stages of development and deployment—cloud seeding is already used operationally in some states for drought management and hail suppression, while solar geoengineering remains largely theoretical. This bill would effectively ban a spectrum of activities from established practices to speculative research, potentially affecting agricultural operations, research institutions, and interstate cooperation on weather-related issues.

Potential points of contention

  • Cloud seeding impact: Cloud seeding is currently legal and used in multiple U.S. states for practical purposes; this bill would criminalize a commercially established practice without apparent exemptions
  • Research and innovation: The broad language could prevent legitimate atmospheric science research and climate adaptation studies conducted by universities or federal agencies
  • Interstate jurisdiction: Weather systems don't respect state boundaries; unilateral Kansas prohibition may have limited practical effect while potentially conflicting with neighboring states' policies or federal atmospheric research programs
  • Definition ambiguity: Terms like "geoengineering" and "atmospheric experiments" lack precise legal definition, creating enforcement uncertainty
  • Agricultural operations: Some farming practices involving precipitation enhancement could potentially be affected depending on statutory interpretation

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

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