summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
04/18/2025
04/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
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 hb477-02-c2 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 comprehensive regulations and restrictions on geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida. It repeals existing weather modification laws and introduces stringent prohibitions against intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of changing temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. The bill creates significant legal penalties for violations, including felony charges with fines up to $200,000 and potential prison time, particularly for aircraft operators or controllers involved in such activities. Additionally, the bill establishes a reporting mechanism where individuals can report observed geoengineering activities to the Department of Environmental Protection, which must create an online reporting system and investigate potential violations. Public infrastructure operators, particularly airports, will be required to monthly report the presence of aircraft potentially equipped for weather modification, and the Department of Transportation is mandated to submit aggregated reports to environmental protection agencies. The legislation aims to create transparency and strict oversight of any attempts to intentionally manipulate atmospheric conditions, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. Notably, any fines collected will be deposited into the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used exclusively for air pollution control purposes.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Brian Hodgers (R)*,
Kevin Steele (R)*,
Yvette Benarroch (R),
David Borrero (R),
Monique Miller (R),
Danny Nix (R),
Other Sponsors (2)
Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (H), State Affairs Committee (H)
Last Action
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 56 (Ch. 2025-157) (on 04/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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