Ohio : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HB272
Regards food dyes, PFAS, fluoride, and certain substance releases
Sponsor: Rep Justin Pizzulli & Rep Monica Robb Blasdel & Rep Kellie Deeter & Rep Steve Demetriou & Rep Ron Ferguson & Rep Jennifer Gross & Rep Johnathan Newman & Rep Jodi Salvo
Bill Details
To amend sections 3704.99 and 6109.20 and to enact sections 3704.21, 3715.591, 3745.61, 3745.62, 3745.63, 3745.64, 3745.65, 3745.66, and 3745.67 of the Revised Code to prohibit the use of certain food dyes and additives, the release of substances into the atmosphere for certain purposes, and intentionally added PFAS in various products, to revise the law governing fluoride, and to name this act the Protecting Utility and Resources for Enhanced Living, Improved Food, and Environment Act.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
HB 272 primarily focuses on consumer protection, covering topics such as PFAS in products, limits on food dyes, and water fluoridation. The ban on weather modification appears in just one section of this larger bill.
The bill makes it illegal for anyone in Ohio to intentionally inject, release, or spread chemicals or devices into the air with the intent to change the temperature, weather, or the amount of sunlight.
The bill does not name a specific agency to enforce the rule governing the release of substances into the air. Instead, any violations would likely be handled through regular criminal procedures.
Breaking this law is a fourth-degree misdemeanour, carrying a $10,000 fine for each violation. Each day the law is broken counts as a separate offence. In Ohio, this level of misdemeanour can also carry a sentence of up to 30 days in jail.
A key point is that the weather modification rule requires proof that someone meant to change the temperature, weather, or sunlight. This is a tougher standard than the strict liability used in Ohio’s other proposed weather modification bill, HB 290. The penalties in HB 272 are also less severe: a misdemeanour with $10,000 daily fines, compared to HB 290’s felony charges, mandatory 36-month prison terms, and at least a $500,000 fine.
History
HB 272, titled the "Protecting Utility and Resources for Enhanced Living, Improved Food, and Environment Act," was introduced on May 13, 2025, by Representatives Pizzulli and Robb Blasdel with eight additional cosponsors (Representatives Demetriou, Gross, Salvo, Jones, Ferguson, Deeter, and Newman). The bill was referred to the General Government Committee on May 14, 2025, and is currently awaiting a hearing.
The weather modification provision occupies a small portion of this omnibus bill, which primarily addresses PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in consumer products, food dye restrictions, and changes to water fluoridation requirements. The bill's routing to General Government rather than Natural Resources (where HB 290 was sent) reflects its broader consumer protection scope. Notably, several sponsors of HB 272—including Pizzulli, Robb Blasdel, Gross, and Jones—are also cosponsors of the more aggressive HB 290, suggesting these may be complementary rather than competing approaches.
- Tue 13 May 2025 Introduced
- Wed 14 May 2025 Referred to committee: General Government
Consolidated Bill Text
HOUSE BILL No. 272
136th General Assembly
Regular Session 2025-2026
Representatives Pizzulli, Robb Blasdel
Cosponsors: Representatives Demetriou, Gross, Salvo, Jones, Ferguson, Deeter, Newman
[Excerpt: Weather Modification Provisions]
Sec. 3704.21. No person shall purposely inject, release, or disperse, by any means, chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.
Sec. 3704.99.
(H) Whoever violates section 3704.21 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and, notwithstanding section 2929.28 of the Revised Code, shall be fined ten thousand dollars for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. Opus 4.5
Supplementary documents
BILL ANALYSIS (LSC Document) — Weather Modification Excerpt
H.B. 272
136th General Assembly
Bill Analysis
Ohio Legislative Service Commission
Office of Research and Drafting
Legislative Budget Office
June 9, 2025
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsors: Reps. Pizzulli and Robb Blasdel
Reid J. Fleeson, Attorney
Jeff Grim, Research Analyst
Atmospheric chemical release prohibition
The bill prohibits a person from purposely injecting, releasing, or disbursing, by any means, chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within Ohio into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.
A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor and must be fined $10,000 for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. A fourth degree misdemeanor, under continuing law, includes a jail term of not more than 30 days.