Utah : 2026 Regular Session : BILL SB0023
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
Sponsor: Sen Ronald Winterton
Bill Details
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
Bill summary (AI generated)
Legislative Proposals Currently introduced for the 2026 session, this bill aims to enact Section 72-10-134 to restrict the release of chemicals for "solar geoengineering". It defines this practice as releasing chemicals to artificially reduce solar radiation reaching the Earth, while explicitly excluding standard weather modification activities described in Title 73, Chapter 15. The bill mandates that the Department of Transportation provide a tool for public reporting of suspected activities and requires the Department to report credible instances to the Office of the Attorney General. Notably, this bill introduces a new legal requirement for airport operators to report any suspected solar geoengineering activity occurring at their airports to the Department of Transportation. Proposed Enforcement The bill designates the use or authorisation of an aircraft with the intent to cause solar geoengineering as a third-degree felony. The proposed penalties for this felony specifically include imprisonment (as provided in Section 76-3-203) and a fine not exceeding $100,000. As with the previous version, general violations of the surrounding code remain a class B misdemeanor.
History
The bill titled "Airborne Chemicals Amendments" (SB0023) was filed in November 2024 and is still in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently numbered on December 5, 2025, and is now publicly distributed for review. Moving forward, the bill will need to be assigned to committees for discussion and analysis, where it can be debated and amended. Following committee reviews, it will then be brought to the floor for a vote. If it passes through these stages, it could move towards a final vote for approval or rejection by the legislative body. The outcome will depend on the support it receives from committee members and legislators.
- Fri 05 Dec 2025 Bill Numbered but not Distributed in Legislative Research and General Counsel
- Fri 05 Dec 2025 Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed in Legislative Research and General Counsel
Bill text (Transcribed)
Utah : 2026 Regular Session : BILL SB0023
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION, STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ronald M. Winterton-----LONG TITLE
Committee Note:
The Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee recommended this bill.
Legislative Vote: 10 voting for 5 voting against 4 absent
General Description:
This bill addresses the release of chemicals from aircraft.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
establishes that the release of a chemical or substance from an aircraft for the purpose of solar geoengineering is a third-degree felony;
provides a means for a person to submit information regarding suspected solar geoengineering;
requires the Department of Transportation to report credible instances of suspected solar geoengineering to the Office of the Attorney General;
requires an airport operator to report suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Department of Transportation; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
72-10-120, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 140
ENACTS:
72-10-134, Utah Code Annotated 1953-----Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 72-10-120 is amended to read:
72-10-120. Violations -- Penalty.
Except as otherwise provided in this part, a person who fails to comply with the requirements of or violates any provision of this part is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Section 2. Section 72-10-134 is enacted to read:
72-10-134. Restrictions on release of chemicals for solar geoengineering -- Criminal penalty -- Required reporting by airport operators.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Solar radiation management" means the release, injection, or dispersing of a chemical to artificially reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's lower atmosphere or surface.
(b)(i) "Solar geoengineering" means the modification of the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere by solar radiation management.
(ii) "Solar geoengineering" does not include activities described in Title 73, Chapter 15, Modification of Weather.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for an owner or operator of an aircraft to use or authorize the use of the aircraft in the state with the intent to cause solar geoengineering.
(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a third degree felony punishable by:
(i) imprisonment as provided in Section 76-3-203; and
(ii) a fine not exceeding $100,000.
(3) The department shall:
(a) provide a means for a person to electronically submit information regarding suspected solar geoengineering activity; and
(b) report a credible instance of suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Office of the Attorney General.
(4) An airport operator shall report to the department any suspected solar geoengineering activity at an airport owned or operated by the airport operator.
Section 3. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
Airborne Chemicals Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION, STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ronald M. Winterton-----LONG TITLE
Committee Note:
The Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee recommended this bill.
Legislative Vote: 10 voting for 5 voting against 4 absent
General Description:
This bill addresses the release of chemicals from aircraft.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
establishes that the release of a chemical or substance from an aircraft for the purpose of solar geoengineering is a third-degree felony;
provides a means for a person to submit information regarding suspected solar geoengineering;
requires the Department of Transportation to report credible instances of suspected solar geoengineering to the Office of the Attorney General;
requires an airport operator to report suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Department of Transportation; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
72-10-120, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 140
ENACTS:
72-10-134, Utah Code Annotated 1953-----Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 72-10-120 is amended to read:
72-10-120. Violations -- Penalty.
Except as otherwise provided in this part, a person who fails to comply with the requirements of or violates any provision of this part is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Section 2. Section 72-10-134 is enacted to read:
72-10-134. Restrictions on release of chemicals for solar geoengineering -- Criminal penalty -- Required reporting by airport operators.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Solar radiation management" means the release, injection, or dispersing of a chemical to artificially reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's lower atmosphere or surface.
(b)(i) "Solar geoengineering" means the modification of the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere by solar radiation management.
(ii) "Solar geoengineering" does not include activities described in Title 73, Chapter 15, Modification of Weather.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for an owner or operator of an aircraft to use or authorize the use of the aircraft in the state with the intent to cause solar geoengineering.
(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a third degree felony punishable by:
(i) imprisonment as provided in Section 76-3-203; and
(ii) a fine not exceeding $100,000.
(3) The department shall:
(a) provide a means for a person to electronically submit information regarding suspected solar geoengineering activity; and
(b) report a credible instance of suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Office of the Attorney General.
(4) An airport operator shall report to the department any suspected solar geoengineering activity at an airport owned or operated by the airport operator.
Section 3. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.