Michigan : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB4304
Environmental protection: air pollution; dispersion of substances or objects into atmosphere; prohibit for purposes of affecting weather. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 5514b.
Sponsor: Rep Rachelle Smit & Rep Angela Rigas & Rep Ken Borton & Rep Brad Paquette & Rep Gina Johnsen & Rep Timothy Beson & Rep Jaime Greene & Rep Josh Schriver
Bill Details
Environmental protection: air pollution; dispersion of substances or objects into atmosphere; prohibit for purposes of affecting weather. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 5514b.
Bill summary (AI generated)
• Michigan House Bill 4304 (HB 4304) proposes to amend existing Michigan law, specifically the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451), by introducing a new section, 5514b. • The bill aims to prohibit any person from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing a chemical or an apparatus into the atmosphere. • This prohibition is limited to actions taken for the specific purpose of affecting weather or the intensity of sunlight. • By banning activities intended to affect weather or the intensity of sunlight, the bill addresses both weather modification (intentional modification of regional or local weather patterns, such as cloud seeding) and solar geoengineering (activities modifying the amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface, also called Solar Radiation Modification or SRM). • The bill was introduced by several representatives on March 26, 2025, and was subsequently referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. • This type of legislation is categorized under Environmental protection, specifically concerning air pollution and the dispersion of substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting weather.
History
The bill was filed in November 2024 and has gone through several key legislative steps. It was initially referred to multiple committees, including Environment and Natural Resources, and later to the Appropriations Committee. After being amended and discussed, it was officially introduced and read for the first time by Representative Rachelle Smit on March 26, 2025, at which point it was also referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. The next steps involve the bill being reviewed by this committee, which may lead to further discussions, amendments, or a vote. As of now, the bill is still active.
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Introduced By Representative Rep. Rachelle Smit
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Read A First Time
- Wed 26 Mar 2025 Referred To Committee On Regulatory Reform
- Thu 27 Mar 2025 Bill Electronically Reproduced 03/26/2025
Bill text (Transcribed)
HOUSE BILL NO. 4304
March 26, 2025, Introduced by Reps. Smit, Rigas, Borton, Paquette, Johnsen, Beson, Greene and Schriver and referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 5514b.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 5514b. A person shall not intentionally inject, release, or disperse a chemical or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting weather or the intensity of sunlight.
March 26, 2025, Introduced by Reps. Smit, Rigas, Borton, Paquette, Johnsen, Beson, Greene and Schriver and referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 5514b.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 5514b. A person shall not intentionally inject, release, or disperse a chemical or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting weather or the intensity of sunlight.