The proposed bill aims to update Arizona's statutes on weather modification and geoengineering by
repealing existing prohibitions on weather control and cloud modifications and
establishing a new prohibition against geoengineering, which includes activities like aerosol injection, cloud seeding, and solar radiation modification. It would also
require the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to investigate credible reports of geoengineering and promote public reporting of such activities.
In addition, the bill would
classify violations as a class 4 felony, imposing a civil penalty of $500,000 for each violation, with each day of geoengineering counted as a separate violation. It mandates that the Director issue formal notices and Cease-and-Desist Orders to violators, irrespective of federal approval. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance regulations and enforcement mechanisms against unauthorized geoengineering, ensuring the protection of Arizona's environment from harmful atmospheric manipulation.
Statutes affected: Introduced Version: 45-117, 49-119, 45-113, 45-115, 45-116, 45-183, 45-273, 45-292, 45-411.01, 45-467, 45-476.01, 45-595, 45-612, 45-703, 45-871.01, 45-874.01, 45-1021, 45-1041, 45-1205, 45-1603, 45-1605, 35-190, 35-313