GeoLawWatch Still in play 10

OKBillSB430Missed crossover

Environment; prohibiting intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus in this state; repealing the Oklahoma Weather Modification Act. Effective date.

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

Oklahoma's SB430 is a companion bill to SB1021, using the same prohibition language but taking a conventional criminal penalty approach with misdemeanour charges and a $10,000 fine, rather than SB1021's Air National Guard interdiction authority.

Remained in Energy committee

Our summary

Prohibition

The bill prohibits the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus into the atmosphere within Oklahoma's borders when done with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity.

Penalties

Any person convicted of violating the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanour in the first degree, punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Enforcement

The bill does not include any special enforcement measures other than regular criminal prosecution.

Repeals

The bill repeals the entire Oklahoma Weather Modification Act, specifically 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1 through 1087.20 and Sections 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4.

Legislative history

SB430 was filed for the 2025 session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, with first reading on February 3, 2025, and Senator Sacchieri as primary author. Notably, the bill secured a House principal author, Representative Boles, on the same day as first reading, along with Senator Jett, the author of the companion bill, SB1021, as a Senate coauthor. The bill received its second reading on February 4, 2025, and was referred to the Senate Energy Committee. On March 10, 2025, Senator Frix was added as a coauthor, the same day Frix was added to SB1021.

The bill remains in the Senate Energy Committee. The crossover deadline for the 2025 session was March 27, 2025, and the bill did not meet it, indicating it is unlikely to advance further this session. The early designation of a principal House author suggests sponsors anticipated potential bicameral movement, though the bill stalled before reaching that stage.

  1. Coauthored by Senator Frix
  2. Second Reading referred to Energy
  3. Coauthored by Senator Jett
  4. Coauthored by Representative Boles (principal House author)
  5. Authored by Senator Sacchieri
  6. First Reading

Bill text

Show consolidated bill text
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 430                                              By: Sacchieri
AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to environment and natural resources; prohibiting certain actions relating to weather modification; establishing penalty; repealing 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1, 1087.2, 1087.3, 1087.4, 1087.5, 1087.6, 1087.7, 1087.8, 1087.9, 1087.10, 1087.11, 1087.12, 1087.13, 1087.14, 1087.15, 1087.16, 1087.17, 1087.18, 1087.19, 1087.20, 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4, which relate to the Oklahoma Weather Modification Act; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-5-131 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
B. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in the first degree and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).

SECTION 2. REPEALER 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1087.1, 1087.2, 1087.3, 1087.4, 1087.5, 1087.6, 1087.7, 1087.8, 1087.9, 1087.10, 1087.11, 1087.12, 1087.13, 1087.14, 1087.15, 1087.16, 1087.17, 1087.18, 1087.19, 1087.20, 1801.1, 1801.2, and 1801.4, are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.

Supplementary documents

Bill Analysis

SB 430 prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the to effect temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight. Any person found to have violated this provision shall be subject to a maximum fine of $10,000.00. The measure also repeals the Oklahoma Weather Modification Act and Oklahoma Water Modification Act.