North Carolina : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL S485
Prohibit Geoengineering
Sponsor: Sen Eddie Settle & Sen Timothy Moffitt & Sen Ralph Hise
Bill Details
Prohibit Geoengineering
Bill summary (AI generated)
The primary goal of Senate Bill 485 is to prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions into the atmosphere aimed at altering weather, temperature, or the intensity of sunlight. The bill's Primary Sponsors are Senators Settle, Moffitt, and Hise.
Main Elements of the Proposed Law (What the Law Involves)
• Overall Intent: The act is designed to prohibit the intentional release of polluting emissions into the atmosphere.
• Prohibited Means and Purpose: The law aims to prohibit intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing, by any means, chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the State’s borders into the atmosphere. This prohibition applies only if the action is done with the intentional and sole purpose of "atmospheric modification".
• Definition of "Atmospheric Modification" (G.S. 143-213): The bill specifically defines the term "atmospheric modification" to include:
â—¦ Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI).
â—¦ Cloud seeding.
â—¦ Electromagnetic radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions.
â—¦ Other atmospheric polluting activity that affects key state interests, including temperature, weather, intensity of sunlight, the environment, agriculture, wildlife, human health and safety, aviation, state security, or the economy of the State.
• Specific Exclusion: The definition of "atmospheric modification" explicitly does not include the application of pesticides via aircraft when this activity is conducted under a license issued by the Pesticide Board.
Enforcement and Implementation
• Rule Adoption: The Environmental Management Commission is mandated to adopt the necessary rules to implement the act.
• Effective Date: The act will be effective when it officially becomes law.
• Status: S485 was filed on March 25, 2025, passed its 1st Reading on March 26, 2025, and was subsequently referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.
History
The bill was filed on 25 March 2025 and successfully passed its first reading the following day. It was subsequently referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate for further consideration. As the bill is currently active and has not yet passed or failed, the next steps will involve discussions and potential amendments within the committee before it can be brought back to the full Senate for a vote.
- Tue 25 Mar 2025 Filed
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Passed 1st Reading
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
Bill text (Transcribed)
North Carolina : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL S485
Prohibit Geoengineering
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
SENATE BILL 485
Short Title: Prohibit Geoengineering.
Sponsors: Senators Settle, Moffitt, and Hise (Primary Sponsors).
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF POLLUTING EMISSIONS, INCLUDING STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INJECTION, CLOUD SEEDING, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIO FREQUENCY, INTO THE ATMOSPHERE TO ALTER THE TEMPERATURE, WEATHER, OR THE INTENSITY OF SUNLIGHT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 143-213 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(5b) The term "atmospheric modification" means stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), cloud seeding, electromagnetic radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions, or other atmospheric polluting activity affecting temperature, weather, intensity of sunlight, the environment, agriculture, wildlife, human health and safety, aviation, state security, or the economy of the State. The term does not include the application of pesticides via aircraft under a license issued by the Pesticide Board pursuant to Article 52 of this Chapter."
SECTION 2. G.S. 143-215.108(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(5) Intentionally inject, release, or disperse, by any means, chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this State into the atmosphere with the intentional and sole purpose of atmospheric modification."
SECTION 3. The Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this act.
SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.
Prohibit Geoengineering
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
SENATE BILL 485
Short Title: Prohibit Geoengineering.
Sponsors: Senators Settle, Moffitt, and Hise (Primary Sponsors).
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF POLLUTING EMISSIONS, INCLUDING STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INJECTION, CLOUD SEEDING, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIO FREQUENCY, INTO THE ATMOSPHERE TO ALTER THE TEMPERATURE, WEATHER, OR THE INTENSITY OF SUNLIGHT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 143-213 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(5b) The term "atmospheric modification" means stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), cloud seeding, electromagnetic radio frequency or microwave radiation emissions, or other atmospheric polluting activity affecting temperature, weather, intensity of sunlight, the environment, agriculture, wildlife, human health and safety, aviation, state security, or the economy of the State. The term does not include the application of pesticides via aircraft under a license issued by the Pesticide Board pursuant to Article 52 of this Chapter."
SECTION 2. G.S. 143-215.108(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(5) Intentionally inject, release, or disperse, by any means, chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this State into the atmosphere with the intentional and sole purpose of atmospheric modification."
SECTION 3. The Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this act.
SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.