New Hampshire : 2026 Regular Session : BILL HB1128
Restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
Sponsor: Rep Kelley Potenza & Rep John Schneller & Rep Judy Aron & Rep Tom Ploszaj & Rep Jose Cambrils & Rep JD Bernardy & Rep Marie Bjelobrk & Rep Bryan Morse & Rep Matt Sabourin & Rep Susan Deroy
Bill Details
Restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
Bill summary (AI generated)
Restriction to Emergency Use This bill focuses on restricting weather modification technologies strictly to declared emergency scenarios.
• Laws Introduced: It repeals and reenacts RSA 12-F:1 to mandate that cloud seeding may only occur if the Governor declares a state of emergency for a catastrophic drought.
• Requirements:
â—¦ A 14-day environmental review must be conducted prior to engagement to assess risks to wildlife and public health.
â—¦ Public Notice: At least one month prior to the activity, the state must publish notices in four newspapers and online, disclosing the chemicals and technologies to be used.
• Enforcement: The Department of Environmental Services is tasked with maintaining oversight of all cloud seeding activities to ensure regulatory compliance.
History
The bill HB1128, titled "Restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies," is scheduled to be introduced on January 7, 2026, and will be referred to the Science, Technology and Energy Committee. As of now, no further progress has been made since it has not yet been introduced or discussed in committee. Once the bill is introduced, it will need to be assigned to the appropriate committees for review, where it can be debated, amended, and voted on. If it clears committee approval, it will then proceed to the full legislative chamber for a broader vote. The next step is crucial, as the bill must navigate through these stages to advance further in the legislative process. If it does not receive sufficient support, it may stall or fail to pass altogether.
- Mon 01 Dec 2025 To Be Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy
Bill text (Transcribed)
New Hampshire : 2026 Regular Session : BILL HB1128
Restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
2026 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 1128
AN ACT restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
SPONSORS: Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Cambrils, Merr. 4; Rep. Ploszaj, Belk. 1; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Morse, Merr. 3; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Schneller, Hills. 2; Rep. Bjelobrk, Graf. 5
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes state agencies to engage in weather modification under emergency conditions.
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Weather Modification; Emergency Cloud Seeding. RSA 12-F:1 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
12-F:1 Weather Modification Experimentation; Emergency Cloud Seeding.
I. Cloud seeding may only occur in New Hampshire under the following conditions:
(a) The governor, upon the recommendation of the department of environmental services or other relevant agencies, shall declare a state of emergency in response to a catastrophic drought;
(b) A state of emergency for a catastrophic drought shall only be declared when the drought is severe enough to pose a significant risk to the state's water supply, agriculture, public health, or economic stability; or
(c) The state of emergency shall be officially documented and published by the governor's office in accordance with RSA 4:45, and shall include a clear statement that cloud seeding is a necessary measure to mitigate the impacts of the drought.
II. Prior to engaging in cloud seeding, the state shall conduct a 14-day environmental review, assessing potential risks and benefits, and ensuring that the activities will not result in harm to the environment, public health, or wildlife.
III. The department of environmental services shall maintain oversight of all cloud seeding activities to ensure compliance with regulations and to assess the effectiveness of cloud seeding operations. At least one month prior to the presentation of any cloud seeding activities brought forth by the governor, upon the recommendation of the department of environmental services or other relevant agencies, the department of environmental services shall do the following:
(a) Place a public notice in at least 4 newspapers within the state and on the departmental Internet website informing the public of the date and type of the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events within the state.
(b) Disclose to the public the chemical compounds and technologies to be used in the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events in the state, including the effects of the program or experimentation on human health, what wildlife and wildlife habitats may be affected, and the source of funding to perform such program or experimentation.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
2026 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 1128
AN ACT restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
SPONSORS: Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Cambrils, Merr. 4; Rep. Ploszaj, Belk. 1; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Morse, Merr. 3; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Schneller, Hills. 2; Rep. Bjelobrk, Graf. 5
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes state agencies to engage in weather modification under emergency conditions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT restricting the use of weather modification technologies to declared emergencies.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Weather Modification; Emergency Cloud Seeding. RSA 12-F:1 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
12-F:1 Weather Modification Experimentation; Emergency Cloud Seeding.
I. Cloud seeding may only occur in New Hampshire under the following conditions:
(a) The governor, upon the recommendation of the department of environmental services or other relevant agencies, shall declare a state of emergency in response to a catastrophic drought;
(b) A state of emergency for a catastrophic drought shall only be declared when the drought is severe enough to pose a significant risk to the state's water supply, agriculture, public health, or economic stability; or
(c) The state of emergency shall be officially documented and published by the governor's office in accordance with RSA 4:45, and shall include a clear statement that cloud seeding is a necessary measure to mitigate the impacts of the drought.
II. Prior to engaging in cloud seeding, the state shall conduct a 14-day environmental review, assessing potential risks and benefits, and ensuring that the activities will not result in harm to the environment, public health, or wildlife.
III. The department of environmental services shall maintain oversight of all cloud seeding activities to ensure compliance with regulations and to assess the effectiveness of cloud seeding operations. At least one month prior to the presentation of any cloud seeding activities brought forth by the governor, upon the recommendation of the department of environmental services or other relevant agencies, the department of environmental services shall do the following:
(a) Place a public notice in at least 4 newspapers within the state and on the departmental Internet website informing the public of the date and type of the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events within the state.
(b) Disclose to the public the chemical compounds and technologies to be used in the proposed weather modification program or experimentation events in the state, including the effects of the program or experimentation on human health, what wildlife and wildlife habitats may be affected, and the source of funding to perform such program or experimentation.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.