GeoLawWatch: Tracking Weather & Climate Legislation

Bill summary (AI generated)

This bill, titled the "Clear Skies Act," is proposed under the 119th Congress as HB4403 and aims to prohibit weather modification within the United States, including its territories and possessions. The legislation is structured to establish penalties for individuals who knowingly engage in weather modification activities.

Key Provisions:

1. **Prohibition of Weather Modification**: Under the act, it is illegal to conduct weather modification, which is defined to include any injection, release, emission, or dispersal of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. Specific activities include geoengineering, cloud seeding, and solar radiation modification.

2. **Penalties for Violations**: 
   - Individuals found violating this prohibition may face criminal penalties, including fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.
   - Civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation can also be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

3. **Reporting and Investigative Procedures**: The bill requires the establishment of a system through which the public can report suspected violations. The EPA is tasked with investigating these reports and determining whether violations have occurred, potentially involving coordination with other federal agencies.

4. **Repeal of Existing Authorities**: Any federal statutes, regulations, or executive orders that authorize or require weather modification are to be repealed and rendered ineffective.

5. **Definitions and Scope**: The definitions section clarifies the meaning of terms like "atmosphere" and "weather modification," detailing the provisions under which activities would be considered illegal.

6. **Effective Date**: The act will take effect 90 days after it is enacted.

This legislation, therefore, seeks to comprehensively ban weather modification activities and enforce penalties while establishing avenues for public reporting and investigation.