GeoLawWatch: Tracking Weather & Climate Legislation

Bill summary (AI generated)

Bill Summary:

Senate Bill 473 is introduced in the State of Montana and aims to revise laws concerning weather modification. It specifically prohibits geoengineering and outlines certain exceptions. The bill denotes that, except for weather modification by cloud seeding, as provided in sections 85-3-101 through 85-3-424 of the Montana Code, individuals are not permitted to intentionally inject, release, or disperse any chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatuses for geoengineering purposes.

Key Provisions:

1. Prohibition on weather modification activities, which include:
   - Engaging in weather modification and control.
   - Affecting temperature.
   - Affecting the intensity of sunlight.

2. Definitions provided within the bill include:
   - **Chemical compounds**: Any combination of chemicals.
   - **Chemicals**: Industrial substances, which can be simple or complex in nature, derived from organic or inorganic origins.
   - **Weather modification and control**: The artificial alteration of atmospheric cloud development or precipitation.
   - Additional definitions clarify terms related to solar radiation management and specific geoengineering techniques.

3. The bill includes provisions for immediate effect upon passage and approval. 

The legislation establishes clear restrictions on geoengineering practices while allowing for limited weather modification through cloud seeding under regulated conditions.