Alabama : 2026 Regular Session : BILL HB25
Air pollution; dispersion of items intended to affect weather prohibited; pollution reduction fund created; environmental management department required to administer
Sponsor: Rep Mack Butler
Bill Details
Air pollution; dispersion of items intended to affect weather prohibited; pollution reduction fund created; environmental management department required to administer
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
Alabama HB25 prohibits anyone from intentionally modifying the weather in the state’s airspace. Releasing chemicals or devices to alter weather, such as temperature, climate, or sunlight, is a Class B misdemeanour with fines up to $100,000 per violation.
The law establishes the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund, which the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) manages. The state directs all fines collected under this law into the fund. ADEM’s director and the Comptroller can approve spending from the fund only with itemised vouchers, following regular state budgeting rules. The law keeps any money left in the fund at year’s end instead of returning it to the State General Fund.
The bill creates a citizen reporting system. ADEM will provide a public email address and an online form so anyone can report violations via the website, by phone, or by mail. ADEM will also draft rules to carry out the law, which takes effect on October 1, 2026.
History
HB25 was prefiled on August 11, 2025—five months before the 2026 regular session began—demonstrating early legislative planning for this measure. The bill received its first reading on January 13, 2026, the opening day of Alabama's 2026 legislative session, and was immediately referred to the House Committee on State Government. The bill currently remains pending in that committee.
Alabama's 2026 regular session began January 13, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude March 27, 2026, providing a relatively short window for legislative action. Alabama operates under a system in which bills do not carry over from one legislative year to the next, meaning HB25 must complete the entire legislative process during the 2026 session or die at the session's end.
The bill has six House sponsors: Representatives Butler (primary sponsor), Gidley, Lamb, Harrison, Fidler, and Bolton. The assignment to the State Government Committee, rather than an environmental or natural resources committee, is notable and may reflect the bill's framing as a matter of governmental authority rather than primarily an environmental issue.
- Mon 11 Aug 2025 Prefiled
- Tue 13 Jan 2026 Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government
- Tue 13 Jan 2026 Pending House State Government
Consolidated Bill Text
By Representatives Butler, Gidley, Lamb, Harrison, Fidler, Bolton
RFD: State Government
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, certain measures are provided to maintain and improve air quality in this state.
This bill would prohibit the dispersion of compounds or substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting the weather.
This bill would provide a criminal penalty for violations.
This bill would create the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund to be used for reducing air pollution in this state.
This bill would also require the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to administer this fund and to establish an email address and online form to be used by persons reporting violations.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to air pollution; to prohibit the dispersion of compounds or substances into the atmosphere to affect the weather; to provide criminal penalties for violations; to establish the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund for reducing air pollution; and to require the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to administer this fund and facilitate the reporting of violations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1.
(a) No person may inject, release, or disperse, by any means, a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within or above this state for the purpose of affecting the weather, including temperature, climate, and intensity of sunlight.
(b) A person that violates subsection (a) shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Each violation shall be a separate offense.
(c)
(1) All fines collected pursuant to subsection (b) shall be deposited in the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund that is hereby established in the State Treasury. The fund shall be administered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for reducing air pollution in this state.
(2) Receipts deposited into the fund shall be disbursed only by warrants of the Comptroller drawn upon the State Treasury on itemized vouchers approved by the director of the department. No funds shall be withdrawn or expended except as budgeted and allotted according to Sections 41-4-80 to 41-4-96, Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and Sections 41-19-1 to 41-19-12, Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and only in amounts as stipulated in the general appropriations act, other appropriation acts, or this section. At the end of each fiscal year, any unencumbered balance shall not revert to the State General Fund under Section 41-4-93, Code of Alabama 1975.
(d)
(1) Any person who observes a violation of subsection (a) may submit a report of the violation to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management on the department's website or by telephone, United States mail, or electronic mail.
(2) The department shall establish a publicly available email address and online form to allow the reporting of violations.
(e) The Alabama Department of Environmental Management shall adopt rules to administer this section.
Section 2.
This act shall become effective on October 1, 2026.