Senate Bill No. by Senator Fesi aims to prohibit the intentional release or dispersion of chemicals into the environment of Louisiana with the specific intent of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight. The bill enacts a new provision under R.S. 30:2057(A)(3), which states that no person shall inject, release, apply, or disperse any chemical or substance into the atmosphere for these purposes. However, it does provide exceptions for the use of fire retardants or suppressants in firefighting, as well as the aerial application of seeds, fertilizers, or pesticides for agricultural or forestry purposes.

Additionally, the bill repeals Chapter 25 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which previously governed the licensing and regulation of weather modification activities, including the issuance of licenses, application fees, and penalties for unauthorized modifications. The proposed law thus eliminates the framework for weather modification licensing while maintaining existing prohibitions against air contaminants. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB46 Original: