 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement
Purpose
Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing or causing the injection, release or dispensation of any material within Arizona for solar radiation management, which is the modification or attempted modification of atmospheric reflectivity that modifies the amount or intensity of sunlight that reaches the Earth.
Background
Current statute prohibits any person or public or private corporation, other than the federal or state government or their agencies from conducting weather control or cloud modification operations or attempting to artificially produce rainfall without first obtaining a license from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). At the time of applying for the license, the applicant must pay a $100 fee and file an application in the form prescribed by the Director of ADWR. An application for a license to conduct such operations must include: 1) the name and address of the applicant; 2) the names of the operating personnel; 3) the scientific qualifications of all operating or supervising personnel; 4) a statement of all other contracts completed or in process of completion at the time the application is made; 5) the methods of operation the licensee will use and the description of the aircraft, ground and meteorological services to be utilized; and 6) the names of the contracting parties within Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 45-1601 and 45-1603).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a person from intentionally injecting, releasing or dispensing or causing the injection, release or dispensation of any material within Arizona for solar radiation management.
2. 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.
3. Prohibits a political subdivision of Arizona, including any public university or any private entity that receives public monies, from providing any grants for the development of solar radiation management technologies.
4. Allows any resident of Arizona to submit a complaint to the Attorney General (AG) alleging a solar radiation management violation that states:
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.
5. Requires the AG to investigate all credible complaints submitted to the AG's Office.
6. Allows the AG to investigate any conduct that the AG has reasonable suspicion to believe violates the prohibition of solar radiation management.
7. Allows the AG to file an action in the superior court alleging a solar radiation management violation.
8. Requires the superior court to award injunctive relief and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party if the court finds a violation.
9. Allows the superior court to award other relief as the court finds necessary.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 30, 2026
SB/NRG/hk