Bill > SB860

This bill establishes new regulations for weather modification activities in Missouri, defining "weather modification" as any attempt to artificially change the atmosphere, including dispersing substances to alter clouds, dropping agents from aircraft to manipulate the environment, or using cloud seeding to direct rainfall. It makes all forms of weather modification unlawful in the state, requiring anyone deploying chemicals into the atmosphere to disclose their contents to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and post a $25 million bond to cover potential environmental damages. The bill also mandates that the department investigate all reported violations, pursue civil action against offenders if weather modification is confirmed, and report any known instances to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration. Importantly, these provisions do not prohibit the use of pesticides in farming or ranching operations, and the department is tasked with creating rules to enforce these new regulations, with specific conditions for their effectiveness tied to state administrative procedures.