GeoLawWatch: Tracking Weather & Climate Legislation

Bill summary (AI generated)

**Bill Summary:**

The bill titled "Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities" (S0056) enacts comprehensive changes to the regulation of geoengineering and weather modification activities in the state of Florida. Key to this bill is the repeal of multiple sections of the Florida Statutes (specifically ss. 403.281-403.401), which previously defined and regulated the parameters around weather modification activities. The bill introduces new provisions that set forth prohibitive measures on specific geoengineering actions, enhancing regulatory oversight.

**Key Provisions:**

1. **Prohibition of Geoengineering Activities:** 
   - The bill explicitly prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of any chemical, chemical compound, substance, or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity.

2. **Increased Penalties:** 
   - Penalties for violations of the geoengineering and weather modification laws are to increase. Those who conduct unauthorized geoengineering activities or violate reporting requirements may face felony or misdemeanor charges, with fines reaching up to $100,000.

3. **Financial Regulations:**
   - Funds collected as penalties will be directed into the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund exclusively for purposes related to air pollution control.

4. **Reporting Mechanisms:**
   - The bill allows individuals to report observed violations of the geoengineering prohibitions, which the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must investigate. The DEP is required to establish an accessible reporting system and investigate credible claims of violations.

5. **Public Infrastructure Monitoring:**
   - Operators of public infrastructure, such as airports, are mandated to produce monthly reports to the Department of Transportation regarding any aircraft involved in geoengineering activities, including their physical presence and operations that could affect atmospheric conditions.

6. **Rulemaking Authority:**
   - The DEP is empowered to adopt necessary rules to enforce these provisions and ensure compliance, including guidelines for reporting by public infrastructure operators.

7. **Implementation Timeline:**
   - The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

This summary captures the essential points and provisions as set out in the bill while adhering to the specific regulatory framework being established in Florida.