MNBillHF2310Died for lack of action
Prior law prohibiting weather modification reenacted, and criminal penalties provided.
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Passed
Minnesota’s HF 2310 prohibits all weather modification activities and asserts the state’s sovereign claim over its airspace, treating each day of violation as a separate misdemeanor offense. Notably described as “reenacting prior law,” this suggests Minnesota is reviving a previously repealed or expired weather modification ban.
Our summary
Minnesota House File 2310 proposes a complete ban on weather modification by adding a new Chapter 42 to Minnesota Statutes. The bill states that the state has the right to protect its citizens within its borders and the airspace above.
Prohibited Activities: The bill bans anyone from trying to change the weather within Minnesota or its airspace. It defines "modification" as intentionally putting any chemical, substance, or device into the atmosphere or clouds to change the weather's make-up, movement, or behaviour. This covers activities like cloud seeding and atmosphere seeding.
Scope of "Weather": The bill's definition of weather includes the atmosphere, clouds, temperature, air pressure, sunlight, wind, rain, lightning, hail, sleet, fog, and frost.
Who is Covered: The bill defines "person" to include individuals, businesses, organisations, partnerships, corporations, trusts, and all levels of government agencies.
Enforcement and Penalties: Breaking this law is a misdemeanour. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offence, so penalties can add up. The bill would override any other laws that conflict with it.
Unusual Provisions: The bill clearly states that Minnesota claims control over its airspace, which is more common in international law. It also says it is "re-enacting prior law," meaning Minnesota had similar weather modification rules in the past that are no longer in effect.
Legislative history
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Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Additional documents
Bill text
A bill for an act relating to environment; reenacting prior law prohibiting weather modification; providing criminal penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 42.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1. [42.15] POLICY.
The legislature finds it necessary for the state to ensure public safety, human health, and environmental welfare by protecting citizens against weather modification.
Sec. 2. [42.16] SOVEREIGN RIGHT CLAIMED BY STATE.
For the best interest of its residents, the state claims its sovereign right to ensure public safety, human health, and environmental welfare and to protect its citizens within state boundaries and in the airspace above state boundaries.
Sec. 3. [42.17] DEFINITIONS.
(a) For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given.
(b) "Modification" means performance or attempted performance of or an activity or attempted activity in connection with the intentional placement, injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere or clouds within the atmosphere, including cloud or atmosphere seeding, for the purpose of producing or attempting to produce a modifying effect to the composition, motion, or resulting behavior of the weather.
(c) "Person" means a person; firm; association; organization; partnership; company; public or private corporation; trust; or federal, county, city, or other public agency.
(d) "Weather" includes but is not limited to the atmosphere, clouds within the atmosphere, temperature, barometric pressure, intensity of sunlight, wind, rain, lightning, hail, sleet, fog, and frost.
Sec. 4. [42.18] PROHIBITION.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a person must not engage or attempt to engage in weather modification within the state's sovereign boundaries or in the airspace above the state's boundaries.
Sec. 5. [42.19] PENALTY.
A person violating this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day that the violation continues is a separate offense.