Illinois : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL SB2956
WEATHER MODIFICATION ACT
Sponsor: Sen Neil Anderson
Bill Details
Creates the Weather Modification Act. Provides that no form of weather modification is allowed in the State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground notwithstanding any other provision of law. Defines "seeding" as a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds. Effective immediately.
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
Prohibition: The bill establishes a complete ban on all forms of weather modification in Illinois, with cloud seeding specifically identified as the primary target activity.
Definition: "Seeding" is weather modification aimed at altering the amount or type of precipitation falling from clouds.
Enforcement mechanisms: None specified.
Penalties: None specified.
Unusual provisions: The bill includes the phrase "notwithstanding any other provision of law," which would, in theory, override any existing state authorisation for weather modification activities. However, without enforcement mechanisms or penalties, the prohibition exists only as a policy statement.
History
SB2956 was filed on January 27, 2026, the first day of the Illinois Senate's 2026 session, and received its first reading the same day. The bill was immediately referred to the Senate Assignments Committee, which serves as a gatekeeper that determines which substantive committee will hear a bill or whether it advances at all.
Illinois operates on a biennial legislative cycle, with the current 104th General Assembly spanning 2025-2026. Bills introduced in 2026 have until the scheduled May 31, 2026, adjournment to complete the legislative process. The Assignments referral represents a very early procedural stage; the bill has not yet been assigned to a substantive policy committee for consideration.
- Tue 27 Jan 2026 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson
- Tue 27 Jan 2026 First Reading
- Tue 27 Jan 2026 Referred to Assignments
Consolidated Bill Text
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Weather Modification Act.
Section 5. Prohibition on weather modification. No form of weather modification is allowed in this State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground notwithstanding any other provision of law. As used in this Section, "seeding" means a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.