The bill focuses on regulating geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida by repealing existing statutes related to these activities, specifically sections 403.281 through 403.401. It amends section 403.411 to prohibit the injection or release of substances into the atmosphere for altering temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity, while also increasing civil penalties for violations. Collected fines are mandated to be deposited into the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill introduces section 403.4115, which requires operators of public infrastructure to report information about aircraft involved in geoengineering, with oversight from the Department of Transportation and investigation responsibilities assigned to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Moreover, the bill amends Florida Statutes Section 373.470 concerning Everglades restoration funding, establishing that funds from the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund must be distributed to the district based on legislative appropriations, with a new provision aligning the distribution process with statute 373.026(7)(b). It also requires that the funds distributed to the district be matched by cumulative contributions from the district by the fiscal year 2019-2020, allowing for various forms of contributions, including in-kind project work. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 56 Filed: 403.411, 252.44, 253.002, 373.026, 373.4598, 373.470
S 56 c1: 403.411, 253.002, 373.026, 373.4598, 373.470
S 56 c2: 403.411, 253.002, 373.026, 373.4598
S 56 er: 403.411, 253.002, 373.026, 373.4598