HB0012

Prohibits the intentional release of atmospheric contaminants into Wyoming's airspace for purposes of altering climate, weather, or solar radiation, and establishes enforcement mechanisms and criminal penalties.

• Defines atmospheric contaminants as substances intentionally released to alter climate, weather, or solar radiation, including sulfates, perfluoroalkyl substances, genetically modified particles, chaff, and radioactive materials, while excluding standard aviation exhaust, permitted agricultural emissions, fire suppression agents, cloud seeding, and naturally occurring particulates. (W.S. 35-11-2203(a)(i))
• Prohibits any person from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing atmospheric contaminants within Wyoming or its airspace for the purpose of altering climate, weather, or solar radiation, including solar radiation management, stratospheric aerosol injection, and weather modification. (W.S. 35-11-2204(a), W.S. 35-11-2204(b))
• Exempts from the prohibition commercial aviation, satellite operations, weather observation and forecasting, lawful agricultural chemical application, fire suppression, authorized snowmaking, cloud seeding, and other lawful state-authorized activities. (W.S. 35-11-2204(c))
• Prohibits the use of aircraft, drones, balloons, rockets, artillery, space-based platforms, or ground-based facilities for intentional release or dispersal of atmospheric contaminants, except for permitted aviation, space, agricultural, research, cloud seeding, defense, or emergency operations. (W.S. 35-11-2204(d))
• Requires the director of the department of environmental quality to study atmospheric contaminant health threats, monitor aircraft and drones entering the state's airspace, monitor space-based platforms and ground facilities, and petition courts for cease and desist orders upon discovery of violations. (W.S. 35-11-2204(e))
• Requires the director to notify the federal government, other states, and international entities engaging in prohibited atmospheric modification activities that such activities are unlawful in Wyoming under state law and the Tenth Amendment. (W.S. 35-11-2204(f))
• Prohibits retaliation, harassment, discipline, or discrimination against persons reporting suspected violations, and protects good faith reports from being considered defamatory or frivolous.