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SCBillH3083Sine die

Air Quality

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed one chamber
  3. Passed both chambers
  4. Passed

South Carolina's H. 3083 takes a minimalist approach to weather modification prohibition, adding a simple ban on intentional atmospheric emissions for climate purposes without specifying penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or exemptions—leaving implementation entirely to existing air quality regulations.

Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental AffairsRemained in

Our summary

Primary Prohibition:

  • Bans intentionally injecting, releasing, dispersing, or emitting chemicals, substances, devices, or other air contaminants in South Carolina if the goal is to change temperature, weather, or sunlight levels.

Criminal Penalties:

  • The bill does not specify new criminal penalties. It amends Section 48-1-110(e) but keeps the existing penalties from Section 48-1-320.

Enforcement Mechanisms:

  • No additional enforcement methods are included. The bill relies on the current framework in Section 48-1-110.

Exemptions:

  • There are no exemptions, such as for cloud seeding or other exceptions.

Official description

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 48-1-110, Relating In Part To Unlawful Discharges Of Air Contaminants, So As To Prohibit The Emission Of Any Air Contaminant Whose Purpose Is To Affect Temperature, Weather, Or Sunlight Intensity.

Legislative history

H. 3083 was prefiled on December 5, 2024, and immediately referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. When the 2026 regular session convened on January 14, 2025, the bill was formally introduced and received its first reading, with references noted on page 88 of the House Journal. The bill was then re-referred to the same committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. The bill has four companion or similar bills: H. 110, H. 3915, H. 4010, and H. 4624, indicating multiple legislative approaches to weather modification regulation were introduced during this session. H. 3083 is sponsored by Representatives Gatch, Lawson, Mitchell, and Pope. South Carolina operates on a two-year legislative cycle, and the 126th General Assembly runs from 2025-2026 with carryover provisions allowing bills to remain active throughout the biennium. The bill currently remains in committee where it will undergo initial review and potential hearings before any floor consideration.

  1. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
  2. Introduced and read first time
  3. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
  4. Prefiled

Bill text

Show consolidated bill text 
South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
H. 3083
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Gatch, Lawson, Mitchell and Pope
Companion/Similar bill(s): 110, 3915, 4010, 4624
Summary: Air Quality
A BILL
Whereas, it is documented that the federal government or other entities acting on the federal government's behalf or at the federal government's request may conduct geoengineering experiments by intentionally dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere, and those activities may occur within the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas, the risk to human health and environmental welfare from broadscale geoengineering is currently not well understood; and
Whereas, the Department of Environmental Services is responsible for monitoring air, soil, and water quality, and regulating industrial and agricultural emissions into the air, soil, and water within the State of South Carolina to ensure the safety of the public, while not impeding agriculture or commerce within the State; and
Whereas, it is the intent of this General Assembly to protect the public health and welfare of South Carolinians while allowing all authorized activities permitted under state law. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 48-1-110(e) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(e)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, negligently or wilfully, to discharge any air contaminant or other substance in the ambient air that shall cause an undesirable level.

   (2) The intentional injection, release, dispersion, or other emission, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, apparatus, or other air contaminants within the borders of this State with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight is prohibited.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.