Bill > SB473

This bill prohibits weather modification through geoengineering in Montana, with a specific exception for cloud seeding. The legislation defines geoengineering as large-scale, intentional interventions in the Earth's climate system designed to counteract or mitigate global climate change, including methods like stratospheric aerosol injection, solar radiation management, and marine cloud brightening. The bill finds that geoengineering poses risks to the environment and public health due to its experimental nature and potential for unintended consequences. It specifically prohibits persons from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatuses within Montana's borders for the purpose of modifying weather, affecting temperature, or altering the intensity of sunlight. Cloud seeding, which is defined as a proven method of increasing precipitation within existing cloud systems to support water resource management efforts like agriculture and snow making, is explicitly exempted from this prohibition. The bill provides detailed definitions for various geoengineering techniques and chemical terms, and it is intended to be codified as part of Montana's environmental regulations. The legislation would become effective immediately upon passage and approval.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1601