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FloridaSB 562025Senate

Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities

Sponsored By: Ileana Garcia (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationEnvironment and Natural ResourcesAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General GovernmentRulesHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Residents can report weather modification violations

Beginning July 1, 2025, people can report observed violations online, by phone, by mail, or by email. The Department of Environmental Protection must provide a public email address and online form. It must screen reports and investigate those that warrant further review. When appropriate, it must refer reports to the Department of Health or Division of Emergency Management.

Florida bans weather modification with felony penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida bans releasing substances or devices into its atmosphere expressly to change temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. People and corporations that violate the ban face third-degree felony charges and fines up to $100,000, including corporate officers, directors, or employees who violate it. Aircraft operators or controllers face third-degree felony charges, fines up to $5,000, and up to 5 years in prison. Each violation counts as a separate offense. All money collected under the ban goes to the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund, solely for air pollution control.

Airports face reporting rules and funding limits

Beginning October 1, 2025, public-use airport operators must report monthly to Florida's Department of Transportation. Reports cover aircraft on public property equipped to support intentional releases aimed at changing temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. They also cover those aircraft's landings, takeoffs, stopovers, and refueling; the department sends combined reports to environmental and enforcement agencies. Beginning July 1, 2025, the department must include reporting guidelines in airport grant agreements receiving covered state funds. From that date, it cannot spend covered state funds on projects at or supporting noncompliant airports until compliance is restored.

Florida ends weather modification licensing and research

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida repeals its old weather modification licensing and oversight system, alongside the new ban. This removes license and discipline rules, financial responsibility requirements, notices, operating records, reports, and emergency licenses. The Department of Environmental Protection also no longer has a legal duty to study, test, or evaluate weather modification.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ileana Garcia

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Environment and Natural Resources

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Rules

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 46

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 82 • No: 28

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 9

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Rules Vote

Yes: 20 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote

Yes: 10 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Environment and Natural Resources Vote

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-157

    6/23/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/20/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/30/2025Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 82, NAYS 28

    4/30/2025House

  6. Read 3rd time

    4/30/2025House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/30/2025House

  8. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/30/2025House

  9. Read 2nd time

    4/30/2025House

  10. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    4/29/2025House

  11. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)

    4/29/2025House

  12. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  13. In Messages

    4/3/2025House

  14. Immediately certified -SJ 330

    4/3/2025Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 28 NAYS 9 -SJ 318

    4/3/2025Senate

  16. Read 3rd time -SJ 318

    4/3/2025Senate

  17. Read 2nd time -SJ 318

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/03/25

    4/1/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    3/28/2025Senate

  20. CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

    3/27/2025Senate

  21. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    3/27/2025Senate

  22. CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 20 NAYS 4

    3/26/2025Senate

  23. On Committee agenda-- Rules, 03/26/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    3/21/2025Senate

  24. Now in Rules

    3/19/2025Senate

  25. Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 10 NAYS 2

    3/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

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