Oklahoma : 2025 Regular Session : BILL SB1021
Environment and natural resources; prohibiting certain actions relating to weather modification; providing for investigation. Effective date.
Sponsor: Rep Shane Jett & Rep Avery Frix
Bill Details
Environment and natural resources; prohibiting certain actions relating to weather modification; providing for investigation. Effective date.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
Analysis of Oklahoma Bill Banning Intentional Weather Modification
Prohibition:
The bill bans the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus into the atmosphere within Oklahoma's borders when done with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity.
Enforcement: The Governor can order the Oklahoma Air National Guard to take the following actions:
- Interdict violating aircraft
- Document aircraft identification tail numbers
- Secure photographic evidence
- Sample aerosolised effluents or particulate matter
- Use mass spectrometers and other scientific tools.
- Escort any violating aircraft to the nearest airport for investigation, collecting evidence, and documentation.
Penalties:
The bill does not specify any criminal penalties, civil fines, or other sanctions for violations.
Repealer:
The bill removes Oklahoma's current Weather Modification Act (82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1 through 1087.20, plus 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4), which likely included the state's rules for weather modification permits and oversight.
Notable gaps:
Although the bill allows military interdiction and investigation, it does not set any legal consequences for violations. There is no way to prosecute, no enforcement agency besides the Air National Guard, and no penalty system.
History
SB 1021 was introduced by Senator Jett on February 3, 2025, received its first reading that same day, and was referred to the Senate Energy Committee on February 4. Senator Frix signed on as a coauthor on March 10, 2025. As of the current record, the bill remains in the Energy Committee with no committee report or vote scheduled.
Oklahoma's 2025 legislative session runs through May 30, 2025, and bills must cross over to the opposite chamber by March 27 to remain viable. The Energy Committee has not yet acted on SB 1021, leaving it at risk of dying in committee if no action is taken before crossover. This is notable given Oklahoma's legislative history on this issue: in 2015, the legislature repealed its prior Weather Modification Act (HB 1420), and the statutes being repealed in this bill appear to be a separate, surviving portion of weather modification law that remained on the books.
- Mon 03 Feb 2025 First Reading
- Mon 03 Feb 2025 Authored by Senator Jett
- Tue 04 Feb 2025 Second Reading referred to Energy
- Mon 10 Mar 2025 Coauthored by Senator Frix
Consolidated Bill Text
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 1021 By: Jett
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to environment and natural resources; prohibiting certain actions relating to weather modification; providing for investigation; repealing 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1, 1087.2, 1087.3, 1087.4, 1087.5, 1087.6, 1087.7, 1087.8, 1087.9, 1087.10, 1087.11, 1087.12, 1087.13, 1087.14, 1087.15, 1087.16, 1087.17, 1087.18, 1087.19, 1087.20, 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4, which relate to the Oklahoma Weather Modification Act; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-5-131 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
B. The Governor may direct the Oklahoma Air National Guard to interdict, document identification tail numbers, secure photographic evidence, sample aerosolized effluents or particulate, utilize mass spectrometers and other appropriate scientific instrumentation, and engage with aircraft violating this section to escort them to the nearest airport for investigation, securing of evidence, and documentation of violation.
SECTION 2. REPEALER 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1, 1087.2, 1087.3, 1087.4, 1087.5, 1087.6, 1087.7, 1087.8, 1087.9, 1087.10, 1087.11, 1087.12, 1087.13, 1087.14, 1087.15, 1087.16, 1087.17, 1087.18, 1087.19, 1087.20, 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.