ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

 

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

HB 2042: solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement

Sponsor: Representative Fink, LD 27

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing any material in the state for solar radiation management. Restricts political subdivisions of the state from providing any grants for the development of solar radiation management technologies.

History

A.R.S. Title 45 Chapter 9 (Weather Control and Cloud Modification) outlines the regulation of weather control and cloud modification in Arizona.

Currently, any person or corporation, other than the U.S. and its administrative agencies or the state, is prohibited from conducting any weather control or cloud modification operations or attempting to artificially produce rainfall without a license from the Arizona Department of Water Resources Director (Director).

For those who are licensed to conduct such activities, a report with a final evaluation of the project must be filed with the Director within 90 days after the conclusion of the project (A.R.S. §§ 45-1601 and 45-1604).

Provisions

1.   Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing or causing the injection, release or dispensation of any material within the boundaries of Arizona for solar radiation management. (Sec. 1)

2.   Mandates that a political subdivision of the state, any public university or any private entity that receives public monies may not provide any grants for the development of solar radiation management technologies. (Sec. 1)

3.   Allows any resident of the state to submit a complaint to the Attorney General alleging a violation of the solar radiation management prohibition if they state:

a)   the name and contact information of the resident who submits the complaint;

b)   the date or dates the alleged violation occurred;

c) a description of the alleged violation and the location, method and substances or compounds used, if known; and

d)   any applicable supporting evidence or documentation. (Sec. 1)

4.   Directs the Attorney General to investigate all credible complaints submitted to the Department of Law pursuant to the prohibition on solar radiation management. (Sec. 1)

5.   Allows the Attorney General to investigate any conduct that the Attorney General has reasonable suspicion to believe violates the prohibition. (Sec. 1)

6.   Allows the Attorney General to file an action in superior court alleging a violation of the prohibition. (Sec. 1)

7.   Requires the superior court to, if a violation is found, award injunctive relief and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party and allows the superior court to award other relief as the court finds necessary. (Sec. 1)

8.   Defines solar radiation management as the modification or attempted modification of atmospheric reflectivity that modifies the amount or intensity of sunlight that reaches the Earth. (Sec. 1)

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12.  Initials CW/HC               HB 2042

13.  1/23/2026  Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

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