ALBillHB248Died for lack of action
Atmosphere; dispersion of items intended to affect weather, prohibited
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Passed
Alabama HB248 offers a bare-bones prohibition on weather modification activities, with no enforcement mechanism, penalties, or exemptions—making it more of a policy statement than an enforceable law.
Our summary
Prohibition: No person may knowingly inject, release, or disperse any chemical compound, substance, or apparatus within or above Alabama for the purpose of affecting weather, including temperature or the intensity of sunlight.
Enforcement: While the prohibition is explicit, the bill lacks details regarding penalties, an enforcement agency, and any permitting exceptions or reporting requirements, leaving its practical application uncertain.
Unusual provisions: The bill is concise, with only two sentences of main text. It does not exempt current weather modification activities, farming, emergency services, or federal programs. The use of the word "apparatus" alongside chemical compounds could refer to physical devices used for weather modification.
Legislative history
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Pending House Economic Development and Tourism
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Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
Additional documents
Bill text
HB248
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By Representatives Butler, Harrison, Yarbrough, Gidley, Stadthagen, Sells
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, certain measures are provided to maintain and improve air quality in this state.
This bill would prohibit the dispersion of items into the atmosphere with the intention of affecting the weather.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Relating to atmosphere; to prohibit the dispersion of items intended to affect the weather within or above this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. No person may knowingly inject, release, or disperse, by any means, any chemical compound, substance, or apparatus within or above this state for the purpose of affecting weather, including temperature or the intensity of sunlight.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October 1, 2025.
Supplementary documents
FISCAL NOTE House Bill 248 Committee: Economic Development and Tourism Sponsor: Representative Mack Butler Analyst: Mathieu Fuller Date: 02/20/2025 House Bill 248 as introduced would not directly affect state or local funding.