GeoLawWatch Bill Summary

Summary of Proposed Missouri Environmental Statute (260.1160)

The bill creates a single new section (260.1160) in Missouri's environmental statutes.

Definition of Environmental Manipulation

The legislation defines environmental manipulation in two ways:

Weather modification via cloud seeding, where substances are released into the atmosphere to alter the volume or type of precipitation.
Instances in which aircraft release pollution or biological agents to change the atmosphere, affect the environment, or harm the food supply.

The Ban and Exemptions

The bill bans all forms of environmental manipulation in Missouri.

Pesticide use for farming or ranching is specifically allowed and is not covered by this ban.

Enforcement and Limitations

The law limits enforcement to civil liability. Anyone who violates the law can sue for actual damages and to stop the activity.

The law includes no criminal penalties.
It does not assign a specific agency in charge.
It does not require a permit process.
It does not grant authority to make rules.

Notably, unlike HB78, this bill does not give the Air Conservation Commission any authority to set standards or guidelines. There are no rulemaking provisions or administrative processes. The bill is simply a ban that relies on private civil enforcement.

History

SB15 was introduced on June 2, 2025, during the First Extraordinary Session of Missouri's 103rd General Assembly, receiving its first reading that day. Special sessions in Missouri are called by the governor and limited to subjects specified in the proclamation, meaning environmental manipulation or a related topic was included in the governor's call.

The use of a special session for this legislation represents a significant strategic shift. Senator Moon's three previous attempts at weather modification bans (SB84 in 2023, SB1318 in 2024, and SB297 in 2025) all died in the Senate Agriculture Committee, bundled within the comprehensive "Freedom to Farm Act." By extracting the environmental manipulation language as a clean, standalone bill and introducing it during a special session - where legislative attention is focused on a limited agenda - Moon appears to be testing whether the weather modification ban can succeed on its own merits without the controversial agricultural provisions. The bill's placement in Chapter 260 (environmental quality) rather than Chapter 1 (general provisions) also signals a different framing. The bill had only received first reading as of the history provided, with the special session's duration and scope determining its ultimate trajectory.

Mon 02 Jun 2025 S First Read

Consolidated Bill Text

FIRST EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 15
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MOON.
AN ACT
To amend chapter 260, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to environmental manipulation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 260, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 260.1160, to read as follows:
260.1160. 1. As used in this section, the term "environmental manipulation" means:
(1) A type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud; or
(2) Pollution or biological agents dropped from any form of aircraft designed to alter the earth's atmosphere, manipulate the environment, or cause harm to food supply.

The use of any form of environmental manipulation is prohibited in this state. This subsection shall not prevent the use of pesticides on any farming or ranching operation within this state. Any person using a form of environmental manipulation shall be held civilly liable for any damages, including actual damages and injunctive relief, as the result of the use of such environmental manipulation.

Supplementary documents

SB 15 - The act prohibits the use of environmental manipulation, as defined in the act, in this state. This provision shall not prevent the use of pesticides on any farming or ranching operation. Any person using a form of environmental manipulation shall be held civilly liable for damages resulting from such use.

The act is identical to a provision in SB 297 (2025), a provision in SB 1318 (2024), and a provision in SB 84 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA