This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning weather modification. It amends existing sections and introduces new provisions, including the establishment of a more structured licensing process for weather modification operations. Key changes include the distribution of funds collected from weather modification licenses to both the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality, as well as the requirement for public notice and comment periods before operations can commence. The bill also mandates that licensees maintain insurance or financial surety and outlines specific criteria for license renewal and operation suspension.

Additionally, the bill repeals outdated provisions and modifies the language surrounding the licensing process, including the types of operations that require a license and the information that must be provided in applications. It emphasizes the importance of environmental safety by requiring that proposed chemicals and substances used in weather modification be reviewed and approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. The bill also establishes a searchable online database for public access to information about weather modification licenses and operations, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-117, 45-1601, 45-1602, 45-1603, 45-1603.01, 45-1603.02, 45-1603.03, 45-1604, 45-1605, 45-1606, 45-1607, 45-1608, 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, 35-190, 35-313, 35-146, 35-147