Bill > HB764

This bill prohibits geoengineering activities in New Hampshire, which includes weather modification, stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), solar radiation modification (SRM), and other intentional atmospheric manipulations involving the release of polluting emissions. The bill makes an exception for cloud seeding during a catastrophic drought, but only when the governor declares a state of emergency and after a thorough environmental review. Violations of the geoengineering prohibition can result in significant penalties, including civil fines up to $25,000 per violation, potential misdemeanor or felony charges, and enforcement through injunctions. The Department of Environmental Services is required to provide public notice before any cloud seeding activities and must notify 25 federal agencies about the new prohibition. The bill argues that such restrictions are necessary to protect human health, safety, the environment, agriculture, wildlife, and the state's economic interests, and it draws on states' rights under the Tenth Amendment to implement these protections. The legislation will take effect 45 days after its passage, and it repeals existing laws related to weather modification.