Defeated (ONTP adopted)
Maine : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL LD499
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
Sponsor: Rep Tammy Schmersal-Burgess & Rep Kathy Javner & Rep Thomas Lavigne & Rep Michael Lemelin & Rep Sheila Lyman & Rep Richard Mason & Rep Reagan Paul & Rep Tracy Quint & Rep Michael Soboleski
Bill Details
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
Bill summary (AI generated)
Laws Introduced This bill sought to prohibit any person from engaging in, authorizing, or funding "geoengineering". • Definitions: It defined geoengineering as deliberate, large-scale intervention in Earth's natural systems to counteract climate change, specifically listing Solar Radiation Management (SRM), Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), Carbon Dioxide Management, and weather modification (including cloud seeding),. • Exceptions: It allowed for scientific research only if conducted in a controlled environment that does not involve releasing substances into the atmosphere or weather modification techniques. Enforcement and Penalties • Agency: The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was charged with enforcement. • Penalties: Violation of the act would constitute a Class E crime. • Fines: Offenders would be subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day the violation continued.
History
The bill titled "An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering" (LD499) was filed and received by the Clerk of the House in February 2025. It was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, where a work session was held. The committee ultimately produced a divided report, leading to the bill being carried over into the next legislative session. In April, the committee voted on the bill with a recommendation "Ought Not to Pass," which was subsequently accepted by the House and Senate. This conclusion meant that the bill has formally failed and is now considered dead, meaning it will not progress any further in this legislative session.
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025.
- Thu 06 Feb 2025 The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
- Wed 19 Mar 2025 Work Session Held
- Wed 19 Mar 2025 Voted: Divided Report
- Fri 21 Mar 2025 Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- Fri 25 Apr 2025 Reported Out: ONTP/OTP-AM
- Tue 29 Apr 2025 Reports READ.
- Tue 29 Apr 2025 On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
- Tue 29 Apr 2025 ROLL CALL NO. 101 (Yeas 88 - Nays 57 - Absent 5 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)
- Tue 29 Apr 2025 Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Wed 30 Apr 2025 Reports Read
- Wed 30 Apr 2025 On motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report ACCEPTED.
- Wed 30 Apr 2025 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
Bill text (Transcribed)
Maine : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL LD499
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 499
H.P. 328 House of Representatives, February 11, 2025
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025. Referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
Presented by Representative SCHMERSAL-BURGESS of Mexico.
Cosponsored by Representatives: JAVNER of Chester, LAVIGNE of Berwick, LEMELIN of Chelsea, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, MASON of Lisbon, PAUL of Winterport, QUINT of Hodgdon, SOBOLESKI of Phillips.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §579-A is enacted to read:
§579-A. Geoengineering prohibited
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, except as provided in subsection 2, a person may not engage in, authorize or provide funding for any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering.
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Carbon dioxide management" means any technique designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
B. "Geoengineering" means deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth's natural systems for the purpose of counteracting climate change. "Geoengineering" includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide management, solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection and weather modification techniques.
C. "Solar radiation management" means any technique designed to reflect a portion of the sun's radiation back into space, including, but not limited to, stratospheric aerosol injection.
D. "Stratospheric aerosol injection" means the release of reflective sulfate or other aerosol particles into the stratosphere by high altitude planes or blimps, tethered balloons, artillery or other means for the purpose of solar radiation management.
E. "Weather modification technique" means any technique designed to alter or attempt to alter the Earth's natural weather patterns, including, but not limited to, cloud seeding.
2. Exemption; reporting. The prohibition on geoengineering in this section does not apply to scientific research activities authorized by the department that are conducted in a controlled environment and that do not involve weather modification techniques or the intentional release of substances or particles into the atmosphere or the environment. As a condition of authorizing a person to conduct any exempted activity described in this subsection, the department shall require the person to submit an annual report to the department describing the activity conducted, any research or findings resulting from the activity and an assessment of the actual or potential environmental effects of the activity.
3. Enforcement; violations. The department shall enforce the prohibition in this section. Notwithstanding section 349 or Title 17-A, section 1704, subsection 5 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person that violates this section commits a Class E crime and is subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day the violation continues.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person from engaging in, authorizing or providing funding for any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering. Geoengineering is defined in the bill as the deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth's natural systems for the purpose of counteracting climate change, including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide management, solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection and weather modification techniques. Certain scientific research activities authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection are exempted from this prohibition. The department is charged with enforcing the prohibition, and a person that violates the prohibition commits a Class E crime and is subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day the violation continues.
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $109,480
• FY 2026–27: $117,482
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $119,494
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $124,326
Appropriations / Allocations
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $109,480
• FY 2026–27: $117,482
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $119,494
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $124,326
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of additional fines will increase General Fund or other dedicated revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits certain geoengineering-related activities and authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce the prohibition. The DEP has indicated that the administrative activities associated with this bill would require additional staff and resources. The DEP would require ongoing General Fund appropriations of $109,480 beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 for one Environmental Specialist III position and associated costs.
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 499
H.P. 328 House of Representatives, February 11, 2025
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025. Referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
Presented by Representative SCHMERSAL-BURGESS of Mexico.
Cosponsored by Representatives: JAVNER of Chester, LAVIGNE of Berwick, LEMELIN of Chelsea, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, MASON of Lisbon, PAUL of Winterport, QUINT of Hodgdon, SOBOLESKI of Phillips.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §579-A is enacted to read:
§579-A. Geoengineering prohibited
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, except as provided in subsection 2, a person may not engage in, authorize or provide funding for any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering.
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Carbon dioxide management" means any technique designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
B. "Geoengineering" means deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth's natural systems for the purpose of counteracting climate change. "Geoengineering" includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide management, solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection and weather modification techniques.
C. "Solar radiation management" means any technique designed to reflect a portion of the sun's radiation back into space, including, but not limited to, stratospheric aerosol injection.
D. "Stratospheric aerosol injection" means the release of reflective sulfate or other aerosol particles into the stratosphere by high altitude planes or blimps, tethered balloons, artillery or other means for the purpose of solar radiation management.
E. "Weather modification technique" means any technique designed to alter or attempt to alter the Earth's natural weather patterns, including, but not limited to, cloud seeding.
2. Exemption; reporting. The prohibition on geoengineering in this section does not apply to scientific research activities authorized by the department that are conducted in a controlled environment and that do not involve weather modification techniques or the intentional release of substances or particles into the atmosphere or the environment. As a condition of authorizing a person to conduct any exempted activity described in this subsection, the department shall require the person to submit an annual report to the department describing the activity conducted, any research or findings resulting from the activity and an assessment of the actual or potential environmental effects of the activity.
3. Enforcement; violations. The department shall enforce the prohibition in this section. Notwithstanding section 349 or Title 17-A, section 1704, subsection 5 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person that violates this section commits a Class E crime and is subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day the violation continues.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person from engaging in, authorizing or providing funding for any activity that constitutes or involves geoengineering. Geoengineering is defined in the bill as the deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth's natural systems for the purpose of counteracting climate change, including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide management, solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection and weather modification techniques. Certain scientific research activities authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection are exempted from this prohibition. The department is charged with enforcing the prohibition, and a person that violates the prohibition commits a Class E crime and is subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day the violation continues.
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $109,480
• FY 2026–27: $117,482
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $119,494
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $124,326
Appropriations / Allocations
General Fund:
• FY 2025–26: $109,480
• FY 2026–27: $117,482
• FY 2027–28 (projection): $119,494
• FY 2028–29 (projection): $124,326
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of additional fines will increase General Fund or other dedicated revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits certain geoengineering-related activities and authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enforce the prohibition. The DEP has indicated that the administrative activities associated with this bill would require additional staff and resources. The DEP would require ongoing General Fund appropriations of $109,480 beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 for one Environmental Specialist III position and associated costs.