Missouri : 2026 Regular Session : BILL SB1368
Creates provisions relating to weather modification
Sponsor: Sen Joe Nicola
Bill Details
Creates provisions relating to weather modification
Bill summary (AI generated)
Laws Introduced: This bill proposes amending Chapter 640, RSMo, to ban "weather modification," defined as releasing chemicals, substances, or apparatus into the atmosphere to affect temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. Enforcement and Penalties: • Criminal and Civil Penalties: Violators are subject to a Class E felony and a civil penalty of up to $200,000. • Public Reporting and Investigation: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must create a publicly accessible online form for citizens to report violations. The DNR is required to investigate these reports and request the Attorney General to commence legal action if a violation is found. • Airport Surveillance: Effective from 1 January 2027, all airport operators in Missouri must submit monthly reports to the DNR detailing the presence, landing, or refueling of any aircraft equipped with weather modification devices. • Funding Restrictions: The Department of Transportation is prohibited from expending state funds on any airport project if that airport houses aircraft engaged in weather modification.
History
The bill SB1368, titled "Creates provisions relating to weather modification," was prefiled on December 1, 2025. Since then, it has not yet moved through the legislative process. This means it has not been assigned to any committees or scheduled for debate or voting. Moving forward, the bill must be assigned to a relevant committee for review where it will be discussed, possibly amended, and voted on by committee members. If it passes the committee, it will then advance to the floor of the legislature for a full debate and vote. If it fails in committee or on the floor, it will not progress further. The initial stages are crucial for determining the bill’s future, and the next scheduled meeting or deadline for committee action will be critical for gauging its progress.
- Mon 01 Dec 2025 Prefiled
Bill text (Transcribed)
Missouri : 2026 Regular Session : BILL SB1368
Creates provisions relating to weather modification
Missouri Senate Bill 1368: Weather Modification Prohibition
103rd General Assembly, Second Regular Session
Introduced by Senator Nicola
An Act to amend chapter 640, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to weather modification, with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 640, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 640.800 and 640.801, to read as follows:-----Section 640.800 - Weather Modification Prohibition and Penalties
1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Department": The Missouri department of natural resources.
(2) "Weather modification": The injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere in the state for the purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight.
2. Prohibition and Penalties. No person or entity shall engage in weather modification in the state. Any person or entity who violates provisions of this section shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1) A class E felony; and
(2) A civil penalty not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars.
3. Reporting and Enforcement. Any individual may report violations of this section to the department. If the department finds that a violation occurred, the department shall ask the attorney general to commence an action in the court of competent jurisdiction. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant damages, civil penalties, criminal penalties, injunctive relief, attorney fees, and any such other relief the court finds appropriate.
4. Public Reporting Form and Investigation. The department shall create an online publicly accessible form for the purpose of reporting any instance of weather modification in the state. The department shall also establish a screening method of reports under this subsection and shall investigate each report for any violations of this section.
5. Disposition of Civil Penalties. All moneys collected from civil penalties under this section shall be deposited into the natural resources protection fund air pollution permit fee subaccount established pursuant to section 640.220.
6. Rulemaking Authority. The department shall promulgate rules to enforce provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.-----Section 640.801 - Airport Reporting and Enforcement
1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Aircraft": A machine, a vehicle, or device capable of atmospheric flight, except a parachute or other device used primarily as safety equipment.
(2) "Airport": The same as defined in section 305.120.
(3) "Department": The Missouri department of natural resources.
(4) "Weather modification": The same as defined in section 640.800.
2. Monthly Reports from Airports (Effective January 1, 2027). Beginning on or after January 1, 2027, all operators of airports in the state shall submit monthly reports to the department, using a method determined by the department. Such reports shall contain the following:
(1) Any physical presence of an aircraft on the premises of any airport if the aircraft is equipped with any part, component, device, or otherwise, which may be used for the purpose of weather modification; or
(2) The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of any aircraft equipped with parts, components, or devices described in subdivision (1) of this subsection located on the premises of any airport in the state.
3. Department Review and Enforcement. The department shall review the reports under subsection 2 of this section to determine whether any violation occurred pursuant to the provisions of section 640.800. If the department determines that a violation or violations occurred, the department shall ask the attorney general to commence an action pursuant to the provisions of section 640.800.
4. Quarterly Reports to MoDOT and Funding Restriction. The department shall submit aggregate reports under subsection 2 of this section to the Missouri department of transportation every quarter of each calendar year. The Missouri department of transportation shall not expend any state funds to any airport project or program if the airport has any aircraft located on the premises of the airport and such aircraft is engaged in weather modification.
5. Rulemaking Authority. The department shall promulgate rules to implement provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.
Current Bill Summary
SB 1368 - The act creates new provisions relating to weather modification.
The act provides that no person or entity shall engage in weather modification in the state. If a person or entity commits a violation under the act, the person or entity shall be subject to certain penalties, as described in the act.
Any individual may report violations of the act to the Department of Natural Resources. If the Department finds that a violation occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant relief, as described in the act.
The Department shall create a publicly accessible form online for the purpose of reporting instances of weather modification in the state. The Department shall establish a screening method of such reports and shall investigate every report for any violations.
All moneys collected from civil penalties shall be deposited into the Natural Resources Protection Fund.
Beginning on or after January 1, 2027, all operators of airports in the state shall submit monthly reports to the Department detailing any physical presence of any aircraft, or the landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of the aircraft, on the premises of the airport if the aircraft is used for or has components or parts used for the purpose of weather modification.
The Department shall review the reports to determine whether any violations occurred. If any violations occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action, as described in the act.
The Department shall submit such reports to the Department of Transportation on a quarterly basis. The Department of Transportation shall not expend any state funds to any airport project or program if the airport has any aircraft on its premises that is engaged in weather modification.
Creates provisions relating to weather modification
Missouri Senate Bill 1368: Weather Modification Prohibition
103rd General Assembly, Second Regular Session
Introduced by Senator Nicola
An Act to amend chapter 640, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to weather modification, with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 640, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 640.800 and 640.801, to read as follows:-----Section 640.800 - Weather Modification Prohibition and Penalties
1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Department": The Missouri department of natural resources.
(2) "Weather modification": The injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere in the state for the purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight.
2. Prohibition and Penalties. No person or entity shall engage in weather modification in the state. Any person or entity who violates provisions of this section shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1) A class E felony; and
(2) A civil penalty not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars.
3. Reporting and Enforcement. Any individual may report violations of this section to the department. If the department finds that a violation occurred, the department shall ask the attorney general to commence an action in the court of competent jurisdiction. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant damages, civil penalties, criminal penalties, injunctive relief, attorney fees, and any such other relief the court finds appropriate.
4. Public Reporting Form and Investigation. The department shall create an online publicly accessible form for the purpose of reporting any instance of weather modification in the state. The department shall also establish a screening method of reports under this subsection and shall investigate each report for any violations of this section.
5. Disposition of Civil Penalties. All moneys collected from civil penalties under this section shall be deposited into the natural resources protection fund air pollution permit fee subaccount established pursuant to section 640.220.
6. Rulemaking Authority. The department shall promulgate rules to enforce provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.-----Section 640.801 - Airport Reporting and Enforcement
1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Aircraft": A machine, a vehicle, or device capable of atmospheric flight, except a parachute or other device used primarily as safety equipment.
(2) "Airport": The same as defined in section 305.120.
(3) "Department": The Missouri department of natural resources.
(4) "Weather modification": The same as defined in section 640.800.
2. Monthly Reports from Airports (Effective January 1, 2027). Beginning on or after January 1, 2027, all operators of airports in the state shall submit monthly reports to the department, using a method determined by the department. Such reports shall contain the following:
(1) Any physical presence of an aircraft on the premises of any airport if the aircraft is equipped with any part, component, device, or otherwise, which may be used for the purpose of weather modification; or
(2) The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of any aircraft equipped with parts, components, or devices described in subdivision (1) of this subsection located on the premises of any airport in the state.
3. Department Review and Enforcement. The department shall review the reports under subsection 2 of this section to determine whether any violation occurred pursuant to the provisions of section 640.800. If the department determines that a violation or violations occurred, the department shall ask the attorney general to commence an action pursuant to the provisions of section 640.800.
4. Quarterly Reports to MoDOT and Funding Restriction. The department shall submit aggregate reports under subsection 2 of this section to the Missouri department of transportation every quarter of each calendar year. The Missouri department of transportation shall not expend any state funds to any airport project or program if the airport has any aircraft located on the premises of the airport and such aircraft is engaged in weather modification.
5. Rulemaking Authority. The department shall promulgate rules to implement provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.
Current Bill Summary
SB 1368 - The act creates new provisions relating to weather modification.
The act provides that no person or entity shall engage in weather modification in the state. If a person or entity commits a violation under the act, the person or entity shall be subject to certain penalties, as described in the act.
Any individual may report violations of the act to the Department of Natural Resources. If the Department finds that a violation occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant relief, as described in the act.
The Department shall create a publicly accessible form online for the purpose of reporting instances of weather modification in the state. The Department shall establish a screening method of such reports and shall investigate every report for any violations.
All moneys collected from civil penalties shall be deposited into the Natural Resources Protection Fund.
Beginning on or after January 1, 2027, all operators of airports in the state shall submit monthly reports to the Department detailing any physical presence of any aircraft, or the landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of the aircraft, on the premises of the airport if the aircraft is used for or has components or parts used for the purpose of weather modification.
The Department shall review the reports to determine whether any violations occurred. If any violations occurred, the Department shall ask the Attorney General to commence an action, as described in the act.
The Department shall submit such reports to the Department of Transportation on a quarterly basis. The Department of Transportation shall not expend any state funds to any airport project or program if the airport has any aircraft on its premises that is engaged in weather modification.