GeoLawWatch Open Legislation 11
Substack

ILBillSB0134Failed

WEATHER MODIFICATION-SEEDING

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed one chamber
  3. Passed both chambers
  4. Passed

A minimalist two-page bill that would ban all weather modification in Illinois but provides no penalties, no enforcement agency, and no mechanism for compliance, making it a symbolic prohibition rather than an enforceable law.

Our summary

The bill proposes a new Weather Modification Act that would ban all weather modification activities in Illinois. This includes cloud seeding, the practice of dispersing substances such as silver iodide or dry ice into the atmosphere to encourage rain, either by aircraft or from the ground.

Notably absent from this bill: There are no penalties or enforcement measures for breaking the law.

  • There is no enforcement process or agency assigned to oversee the law.
  • The bill does not make exceptions for emergencies, research, or current operations.
  • There is no system for permits or licenses.
  • The bill does not require any reporting.

The bill defines "seeding" as weather modification intended to change the amount or type of precipitation (such as rain, snow, or hail) that falls. It does not explicitly mention other types of weather modification, such as hail suppression (techniques to decrease hail size) or fog dispersal (methods to clear fog). Still, these might be included by the general term "any form of weather modification."

The bill primarily outlines a policy position. Without penalties or enforcement mechanisms, violations would not have specified consequences.

Official description

Creates the Weather Modification Act. Provides that any form of weather modification shall not be allowed in the State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground. Defines "seeding" as a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds. Effective immediately.

Legislative history

  1. Session Sine Die
  2. Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
  3. Postponed - Environment and Conservation
  4. Assigned to Environment and Conservation
  5. Referred to Assignments
  6. First Reading
  7. Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson

Additional documents

Bill text 
AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Weather Modification Act.

Section 5. Prohibition on weather modification. Any form of weather modification shall not be allowed in this State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground. As used in this Section, "seeding" means a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.