Missouri : 2026 Regular Session : BILL HB2389
Makes it unlawful to use weather modifications and authorizes DNR to bring a civil action for violations relating to weather modification
Sponsor: Rep Steve Jordan
Bill Details
Makes it unlawful to use weather modifications and authorizes DNR to bring a civil action for violations relating to weather modification
Bill summary
Prohibited Activities: Missouri law bans all weather modification activities, including:
- Releasing substances into the air that help form clouds or ice-
- Dropping pollution or biological agents from planes to change the atmosphere, affect the environment, or damage the food supply.
- Using cloud seeding to make it rain by putting chemicals into the air
Exemption: Pesticides used for farming or ranching are not covered by the weather modification ban, so using them for these purposes remains legal.
Public Reporting: Anyone can report suspected weather modification to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources online.
Investigation Process: The Department will investigate every report of weather modification.
Enforcement and Penalties: If weather modification is found, the department will file a civil lawsuit. If the court confirms a violation, penalties can include fines, orders to stop, attorney’s fees, or other court actions.
Federal Reporting: The department has to report any confirmed weather modification to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
History
House Bill 2389 was prefiled on Friday, December 12, 2025, ahead of the Second Regular Session of Missouri's 103rd General Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on January 7, 2026. "Prefiling" is a procedural mechanism that allows legislators to submit bills before the official start of the legislative session, giving the bill a head start in the legislative process and allowing it to be assigned a number and reviewed by relevant committees earlier than bills introduced after the session begins.
- Fri 12 Dec 2025 Prefiled (H)
Supplementary documents
No supplementary documents available
Bill text
HOUSE BILL NO. 2389
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN.
5458H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 640, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to weather modification.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 640, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 640.870, to read as follows:
640.870.
1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Department", the Missouri department of natural resources;
(2) "Weather modification", any activity performed with the intention of producing artificial changes to the composition, behavior, or dynamics of the atmosphere including, but not limited to:
(a) Dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical process within the cloud;
(b) Dropping pollution or biological agents from any form of aircraft designed to alter the earth's atmosphere, manipulate the environment, or cause harm to the food supply; or
(c) The use of cloud seeding, meaning directing rainfall to a specific location by a process of injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere.
2. It shall be unlawful to use any form of weather modification in the state.
3. Any individual may report violations of this section to the department. The department shall create an online publicly accessible form for reporting weather modification under this section. The department shall create procedures to investigate every such report to determine whether weather modification occurred.
4. If the department finds that weather modification occurred, the department shall commence a civil action in the court of competent jurisdiction. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and any such other relief the court finds appropriate.
5. The department shall report any known instance of weather modification to the administrator of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration pursuant to 15 CFR Section 908.
6. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of pesticides on any farming or ranching operation in the state.
7. The department may promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration of the 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.