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Bill

Bill

SB 473

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

SB 473 aimed to ban weather modification practices, impacting government agencies and private companies by prohibiting artificial alteration of weather patterns.

Referred to WAM.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 473

Summary of SB 473: Prohibit Weather Modification

Bill Overview

Bill Number: SB 473
Title: Prohibit Weather Modification
Status: Died in Process
Introduced: November 17, 2024
Classification: Bill
Subject: Transportation (also related to Motor Vehicles; Taxation--Transportation)

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of SB 473 was to establish a prohibition against weather modification practices within the jurisdiction. Weather modification refers to any deliberate intervention in the atmosphere to alter weather patterns, such as cloud seeding or other techniques aimed at increasing precipitation or mitigating adverse weather conditions.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibition of Weather Modification: The bill sought to explicitly ban any activities related to weather modification, ensuring that no governmental or private entity could engage in practices aimed at artificially altering weather conditions.

Legislative Actions and Timeline

The bill underwent several legislative actions before ultimately dying in the process. Below is a timeline of significant events:

  • November 17, 2024: Bill introduced and assigned to the Legislative Committee.
  • February 25, 2025: First reading in the Senate.
  • February 28, 2025: Hearing held in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
  • March 4, 2025: The Senate Natural Resources Committee passed the bill.
  • March 7, 2025: The bill passed the Senate and was transmitted to the House.
  • March 17, 2025: The bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
  • April 8, 2025: The House Committee reported the bill, concurring with amendments.
  • April 10, 2025: The bill was scheduled for a second reading in the House but did not concur.
  • May 23, 2025: The bill died in process without further action.

Impact

While the bill did not advance to become law, its introduction highlighted ongoing discussions regarding the ethical and environmental implications of weather modification. If enacted, it would have affected various stakeholders, including:

  • Government Agencies: Local and state agencies involved in environmental management and disaster response would have had to cease any weather modification initiatives.
  • Private Sector: Companies engaged in weather modification services would have been directly impacted, losing the ability to operate within the jurisdiction.

Conclusion

SB 473 aimed to address the complex issue of weather modification by prohibiting such practices. Despite its failure to progress through the legislative process, the bill reflects a growing concern about the implications of human intervention in natural weather systems.

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

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