The "Clean Atmosphere Preservation Act" seeks to prohibit geoengineering activities, specifically the intentional release of polluting emissions, including weather modification techniques such as cloud seeding, stratospheric aerosol injection, and solar radiation modification. An exception is made for cloud seeding during catastrophic droughts, which can only occur under strict conditions, including a state of emergency declaration by the governor and an environmental review by the Department of Environmental Services (DES). The bill emphasizes the protection of human health, the environment, and the state's agricultural and economic stability from the adverse effects of geoengineering. Additionally, it repeals RSA 12-F, which previously addressed weather modification, consolidating the legal framework under the new provisions.

To enforce these prohibitions, the bill establishes penalties for violations, including civil forfeitures of up to $25,000 per violation and potential misdemeanor or felony charges. The DES is responsible for notifying federal agencies about the prohibitions and penalties, as well as overseeing permitted cloud seeding operations. While the bill does not allocate funding or authorize new positions, it is estimated that enforcement and compliance efforts could incur costs between $500,000 and $1,000,000, necessitating new technical and administrative staff and specialized monitoring equipment. The modifications to existing criminal penalties may also impact the judicial and correctional systems, potentially increasing prosecution and incarceration costs for state and local governments.