summary
Introduced
11/20/2024
11/20/2024
In Committee
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Passed
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/23/2025
06/23/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to geoengineering and weather modification activities; repealing ss. 403.281, 403.291, 403.301, 403.311, 403.321, 403.331, 403.341, 403.351, 403.361, 403.371, 403.381, 403.391, and 403.401, F.S., relating to the definitions, purpose, licensing requirements, applications, proof of financial responsibility requirements, license issuance and discipline provisions, publication of notice of intention to operate requirements, required contents of the notice of intention, publication of the notice of intention requirements, proof of publication requirements, record and reports of operations requirements, provision of emergency licenses, and suspension or revocation of licenses, respectively, of the weather modification law; amending s. 403.411, F.S.; prohibiting certain acts intended to affect the temperature, the weather, or the intensity of sunlight within the atmosphere of this state; increasing civil penalties for violations of the geoengineering and weather modification law; requiring that specified moneys be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for specified purposes; authorizing a person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity to report such activity; providing construction; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a method for the intake and screening of such reports; requiring the department to investigate certain reports; requiring the department to refer reports of observed violations to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management, under certain circumstances; requiring the department to adopt rules; creating s. 403.4115, F.S.; defining terms; requiring an operator of public infrastructure to report certain information monthly to the Department of Transportation; prohibiting the department from expending funds to support certain projects or programs; requiring the department to submit a report to specified entities; requiring the department to incorporate reporting guidelines in certain grant agreements; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending ss. 253.002, 373.026, 373.1501, 373.4598, and 373.470, F.S.; conforming cross-references and provisions to changes made by the act; making technical changes; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes strict regulations and prohibitions around geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida. It repeals existing weather modification laws and creates new provisions that make it a felony to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into the atmosphere with the purpose of changing temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. The bill increases civil penalties for violations, with potential fines up to $100,000 and up to 5 years in prison for aircraft operators or controllers. It requires operators of public infrastructure (like airports) to monthly report the presence of aircraft potentially equipped for weather modification, and mandates that the Department of Environmental Protection establish a reporting mechanism for citizens to report observed geoengineering activities. All penalties collected will be deposited into the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used specifically for air pollution control. The legislation also makes several technical amendments to cross-referenced statutes and will take effect on July 1, 2025, signaling a comprehensive approach to preventing unauthorized atmospheric intervention in the state.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (4)
Other Sponsors (2)
Environment and Natural Resources (S), Rules (S)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-157 (on 06/23/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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