ALBillHB248Sine die
Atmosphere; dispersion of items intended to affect weather, prohibited
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Passed
Alabama HB248 offers a bare-bones prohibition on weather modification activities, with no enforcement mechanism, penalties, or exemptions—making it more of a policy statement than an enforceable law.
2025 session adjourned on 14th May 2025, bill remained in Economic Development and Tourism committee
Our summary
Prohibition: No person may knowingly inject, release, or disperse any chemical compound, substance, or apparatus within or above Alabama for the purpose of affecting weather, including temperature or the intensity of sunlight.
Enforcement: While the prohibition is explicit, the bill lacks details regarding penalties, an enforcement agency, and any permitting exceptions or reporting requirements, leaving its practical application uncertain.
Unusual provisions: The bill is concise, with only two sentences of main text. It does not exempt current weather modification activities, farming, emergency services, or federal programs. The use of the word "apparatus" alongside chemical compounds could refer to physical devices used for weather modification.
Legislative history
HB248 was introduced by Representative Mack Butler, with five co-sponsors (Harrison, Yarbrough, Gidley, Stadthagen, and Sells), and received its first reading on February 11, 2025, when it was referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. The bill remains pending in that committee. A fiscal note dated February 20, 2025, determined the bill would have no direct impact on state or local funding.
The Alabama legislature's 2025 regular session began on February 4, 2025, and is scheduled to adjourn on May 14, 2025. Bills must clear their chamber of origin and cross over to the opposite chamber to remain viable; the bill's relatively early introduction leaves time for committee consideration, though no hearing has yet been scheduled.
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Pending House Economic Development and Tourism
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Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
Bill text
Show consolidated bill text
HB248 I1NNZW6-1 By Representatives Butler, Harrison, Yarbrough, Gidley, Stadthagen, Sells SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, certain measures are provided to maintain and improve air quality in this state. This bill would prohibit the dispersion of items into the atmosphere with the intention of affecting the weather. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to atmosphere; to prohibit the dispersion of items intended to affect the weather within or above this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. No person may knowingly inject, release, or disperse, by any means, any chemical compound, substance, or apparatus within or above this state for the purpose of affecting weather, including temperature or the intensity of sunlight. Section 2. This act shall become effective on October 1, 2025.
Supplementary documents
FISCAL NOTE House Bill 248 Committee: Economic Development and Tourism Sponsor: Representative Mack Butler Analyst: Mathieu Fuller Date: 02/20/2025 House Bill 248 as introduced would not directly affect state or local funding.