New York : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL S08529
Prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of 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 sunlight; provides the department will establish a reporting process for violations; provides penalties for such violations.
Sponsor: Sen Alexis Weik
Bill Details
Prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of 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 sunlight; provides the department will establish a reporting process for violations; provides penalties for such violations.
Bill summary (AI generated)
The updated Bill S08529 (specifically version S08529-A) in the New York 2025-2026 Regular Sessions is an act to amend the environmental conservation law and the state finance law. The bill's central purpose is to prohibit activities related to intentional climate or weather modification within the state's borders. Summary of the Updated Bill (S08529-A) The updated bill establishes a robust regulatory and enforcement framework around geoengineering and weather modification: 1. Prohibition: It prohibits the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the state's borders into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight (§ 19-0330(1)). 2. Public Reporting: It mandates the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish a public system (online form, telephone, mail, or e-mail) for individuals to report any observed geoengineering or weather modification activity conducted in violation of the section. The department must screen these reports and investigate any that warrant further review. 3. Infrastructure Reporting: All operators of public infrastructure are required to report monthly to the department, identifying any aircraft observed, recorded, or documented that may be equipped, modified, or configured for geoengineering or weather modification activities. These reports must include the aircraft's registration number, type, date and time of observation, and the basis for such identification. 4. Penalties: Violation of the prohibition is classified as a Class E Felony for any person, including any public or private corporation (and their officers, directors, or employees). Aircraft operators or controllers found guilty of a violation are also guilty of a Class E Felony and may face a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars and a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years. 5. Funding: Any fines collected from these violations must be deposited into the Air Quality Improvement Fund (§ 71-2114(3) and § 99-rr(2)).
History
The bill S08529, titled "Prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of 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 sunlight," has been progressing through the legislative process. It was referred to the Rules Committee on October 15, 2025. As the bill is currently in the Rules Committee, it will undergo reviews and discussions. The next step involves the committee members deciding whether to move the bill forward for a vote in the main legislative body or to table it. If it proceeds, it will eventually be debated and voted on by the entire chamber. The success or failure of the bill will depend on committee decisions and the level of support it receives from lawmakers.
- Wed 15 Oct 2025 REFERRED TO RULES
- Mon 08 Dec 2025 AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO RULES
- Mon 08 Dec 2025 PRINT NUMBER 8529A
Bill text (Transcribed)
New York : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL S08529
Prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of 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 sunlight.
STATE OF NEW YORK
8529--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
October 15, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. WEIK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law and the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the release of certain chemical compounds into the atmosphere
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 19-0330 to read as follows:
§ 19-0330. RELEASE OF CERTAIN CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS PROHIBITED.
1. THE INTENTIONAL INJECTION, RELEASE OR DISPERSION, BY ANY MEANS, OF 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 SUNLIGHT IS PROHIBITED.
2. ANY PERSON WHO OBSERVES A GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITY CONDUCTED IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY REPORT SUCH OBSERVED VIOLATION TO THE DEPARTMENT ONLINE OR BY TELEPHONE, MAIL, OR E-MAIL.
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN E-MAIL ADDRESS AND AN ONLINE FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPORT OBSERVED VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE THE E-MAIL ADDRESS AND ONLINE FORM PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ON ITS WEBSITE.
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH A METHOD FOR INTAKE AND SCREENING OF THE REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INVESTIGATE ANY REPORT THAT WARRANTS FURTHER REVIEW TO DETERMINE WHETHER A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION OCCURRED.
(C) THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCY.
3. ALL OPERATORS OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE SHALL REPORT MONTHLY TO THE DEPARTMENT, USING A METHOD DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT. SUCH REPORTS SHALL IDENTIFY ANY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED, RECORDED, OR DOCUMENTED THAT MAY BE EQUIPPED, MODIFIED, OR CONFIGURED FOR GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES; INCLUDING THE AIRCRAFT'S REGISTRATION NUMBER, TYPE, DATE AND TIME OF OBSERVATION, AND THE BASIS FOR SUCH IDENTIFICATION.
4. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
§ 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 71-2114 to read as follows:
§ 71-2114. VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 19-0330 OF ARTICLE 19 OF THIS CHAPTER.
1. ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE CORPORATION, WHO CONDUCTS A GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITY IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 19-0330 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY. WHERE THE VIOLATOR OF SUCH SECTION IS A CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR EMPLOYEES OF SUCH CORPORATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY. EACH VIOLATION SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
2. WHERE THE VIOLATOR OF SUCH SECTION IS AN AIRCRAFT OPERATOR OR CONTROLLER, SUCH PERSON SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY, AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF, SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND BY A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING FIVE YEARS. EACH VIOLATION SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
3. ANY FINES COLLECTED FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 19-0330 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINETY-NINE-RR OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 71-2105 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 99 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
1. Except as provided in section 71-2113 AND 71-2114 OF THIS TITLE, any person who shall wilfully violate any of the provisions of article 19 OF THIS CHAPTER or any code, rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto or any final determination or order of the commissioner made pursuant to article 19 OF THIS CHAPTER shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine, in the case of a first conviction, of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than eighteen thousand dollars or by imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, for each separate violation. If the conviction is for an offense committed after the first conviction of such person under this subdivision, such person shall be punished by a fine not to exceed twenty-six thousand dollars, or by imprisonment, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day on which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation.
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 99-rr of the state finance law, as added by section 7 of part T of chapter 58 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
2. Such fund shall consist of revenues received by the state pursuant to section 19-0328 of the environmental conservation law, FINES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 71-2114 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW and all other moneys, appropriated, credited, or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of 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 sunlight.
STATE OF NEW YORK
8529--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
October 15, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. WEIK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law and the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the release of certain chemical compounds into the atmosphere
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 19-0330 to read as follows:
§ 19-0330. RELEASE OF CERTAIN CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS PROHIBITED.
1. THE INTENTIONAL INJECTION, RELEASE OR DISPERSION, BY ANY MEANS, OF 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 SUNLIGHT IS PROHIBITED.
2. ANY PERSON WHO OBSERVES A GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITY CONDUCTED IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY REPORT SUCH OBSERVED VIOLATION TO THE DEPARTMENT ONLINE OR BY TELEPHONE, MAIL, OR E-MAIL.
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN E-MAIL ADDRESS AND AN ONLINE FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPORT OBSERVED VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE THE E-MAIL ADDRESS AND ONLINE FORM PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ON ITS WEBSITE.
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH A METHOD FOR INTAKE AND SCREENING OF THE REPORTS MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INVESTIGATE ANY REPORT THAT WARRANTS FURTHER REVIEW TO DETERMINE WHETHER A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION OCCURRED.
(C) THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCY.
3. ALL OPERATORS OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE SHALL REPORT MONTHLY TO THE DEPARTMENT, USING A METHOD DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT. SUCH REPORTS SHALL IDENTIFY ANY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED, RECORDED, OR DOCUMENTED THAT MAY BE EQUIPPED, MODIFIED, OR CONFIGURED FOR GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES; INCLUDING THE AIRCRAFT'S REGISTRATION NUMBER, TYPE, DATE AND TIME OF OBSERVATION, AND THE BASIS FOR SUCH IDENTIFICATION.
4. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
§ 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 71-2114 to read as follows:
§ 71-2114. VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 19-0330 OF ARTICLE 19 OF THIS CHAPTER.
1. ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE CORPORATION, WHO CONDUCTS A GEOENGINEERING OR WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITY IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 19-0330 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY. WHERE THE VIOLATOR OF SUCH SECTION IS A CORPORATION, THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR EMPLOYEES OF SUCH CORPORATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY. EACH VIOLATION SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
2. WHERE THE VIOLATOR OF SUCH SECTION IS AN AIRCRAFT OPERATOR OR CONTROLLER, SUCH PERSON SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS E FELONY, AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF, SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND BY A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING FIVE YEARS. EACH VIOLATION SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
3. ANY FINES COLLECTED FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 19-0330 OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINETY-NINE-RR OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 71-2105 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 99 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
1. Except as provided in section 71-2113 AND 71-2114 OF THIS TITLE, any person who shall wilfully violate any of the provisions of article 19 OF THIS CHAPTER or any code, rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto or any final determination or order of the commissioner made pursuant to article 19 OF THIS CHAPTER shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine, in the case of a first conviction, of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than eighteen thousand dollars or by imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, for each separate violation. If the conviction is for an offense committed after the first conviction of such person under this subdivision, such person shall be punished by a fine not to exceed twenty-six thousand dollars, or by imprisonment, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day on which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation.
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 99-rr of the state finance law, as added by section 7 of part T of chapter 58 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
2. Such fund shall consist of revenues received by the state pursuant to section 19-0328 of the environmental conservation law, FINES COLLECTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 71-2114 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW and all other moneys, appropriated, credited, or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.