Enacting Clause Struck
Utah : 2025 Regular Session : BILL SB0126
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
Sponsor: Sen Ronald Winterton & Rep Rex Shipp
Bill Details
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
Bill summary (AI generated)
Laws Introduced This bill, which saw its enacting clause struck in March 2025, aimed to prohibit the release of substances from an aircraft for the purpose of "weather geoengineering". The legislation defined this term as "solar radiation management," specifically the dispersing of chemicals to artificially reduce solar radiation reaching the earth. Notably, the bill explicitly stated that these restrictions would not apply to established weather modification activities described under Title 73, Chapter 15. Furthermore, the bill proposed a requirement for the Department of Transportation to provide a mechanism for the public to electronically submit reports of suspected weather geoengineering and to report credible instances to the Utah Attorney General. Proposed Enforcement Under this proposal, it would have been unlawful for an aircraft owner or operator to use an aircraft with the intent to conduct weather geoengineering. A violation of this prohibition was categorised as a third-degree felony. Additionally, a general failure to comply with the requirements of this part of the code was listed as a class B misdemeanor.
History
The bill was filed in November 2024 and has gone through several legislative steps since then. It was assigned to multiple committees, received a fiscal analysis, and underwent readings and amendments in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate initially passed the bill through its readings but upon reaching the House, it was substituted and eventually returned to the Senate after being postponed. As of March 2025, the bill has not passed and is currently recorded as filed in the Senate for bills not passed. Its future now depends on whether it can be reintroduced or if there will be further discussions or adjustments to attempt to advance it again.
- Thu 16 Jan 2025 Bill Numbered but not Distributed in Legislative Research and General Counsel
- Thu 16 Jan 2025 Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed in Legislative Research and General Counsel
- Mon 20 Jan 2025 Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research in Waiting for Introduction in the Senate
- Tue 21 Jan 2025 Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst in Waiting for Introduction in the Senate
- Tue 21 Jan 2025 Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) in Senate Rules Committee
- Thu 30 Jan 2025 Senate/ to standing committee in Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee
- Wed 05 Feb 2025 Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation in Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee
- Wed 05 Feb 2025 Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation in Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted in Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar in Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
- Fri 14 Feb 2025 Senate/ 2nd reading in Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
- Fri 14 Feb 2025 Senate/ circled in Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
- Fri 21 Feb 2025 Senate/ uncircled in Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
- Fri 21 Feb 2025 Senate/ floor amendment in Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
- Fri 21 Feb 2025 Senate/ passed 2nd reading in Senate 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Senate/ 3rd reading in Senate 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Senate/ circled in Senate 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Senate/ uncircled in Senate 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Senate/ passed 3rd reading in Clerk of the House
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 Senate/ to House in Clerk of the House
- Mon 24 Feb 2025 House/ received from Senate in Clerk of the House
- Tue 25 Feb 2025 House/ 1st reading (Introduced) in House Rules Committee
- Wed 26 Feb 2025 House/ to standing committee in House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- Thu 27 Feb 2025 House Comm - Substitute Recommendation in House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- Thu 27 Feb 2025 House Comm - Favorable Recommendation in House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- Fri 28 Feb 2025 House/ comm rpt/ substituted in House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- Fri 28 Feb 2025 House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact in House Rules Committee
- Mon 03 Mar 2025 House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar in House 3rd Reading Calendar for Senate bills
- Mon 03 Mar 2025 House/ 2nd reading in House 3rd Reading Calendar for Senate bills
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules in House Rules Committee
- Fri 07 Mar 2025 House/ strike enacting clause in Clerk of the House
- Fri 07 Mar 2025 House/ to Senate in Senate Secretary
- Fri 07 Mar 2025 Senate/ received from House in Senate Secretary
- Fri 07 Mar 2025 Senate/ filed in Senate file for bills not passed
Bill text (Transcribed)
Utah : 2025 Regular Session : BILL SB0126
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ronald M. Winterton
House Sponsor: Rex P. Shipp
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the release of airborne chemicals.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
prohibits the release of chemicals or substances from an aircraft for the purpose of weather geoengineering;
provides a means for the public to submit information regarding suspected weather geoengineering;
requires the Department of Transportation to report credible instances of suspected weather geoengineering to the Utah Attorney General; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
72-10-120, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 140
ENACTS:
72-10-134, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 72-10-120 is amended to read:
72-10-120 . Violations -- Penalty.
Except as otherwise provided in this part, a person who fails to comply with the requirements of or violates any provision of this part is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Section 2. Section 72-10-134 is enacted to read:
72-10-134 . Restrictions on release of chemicals for weather geoengineering -- Criminal penalty.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Solar radiation management" means the release, injection, or dispersing of chemicals to artificially reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's lower atmosphere or surface.
(b)(i) "Weather geoengineering" means the modification of the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere by solar radiation management.
(ii) "Weather geoengineering" does not include activities described in Title 73, Chapter 15, Modification of Weather.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for an owner or operator of an aircraft to use or authorize the use of the aircraft in this state with the intent to cause weather geoengineering.
(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a third degree felony.
(3) The department shall:
(a) provide a means for a member of the public to electronically submit information regarding suspected weather geoengineering activity; and
(b) report a credible instance of suspected geoengineering activity to the Office of the Attorney General.
Section 3. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.