SB 46 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: To prohibit the intentional release, or dispersion of chemicals into the environment of this state with the express purpose of affecting temperature. (8/1/25)

SB 46 prohibits intentionally releasing or dispersing chemicals into Louisiana's environment with the purpose of altering temperature, specifically limiting this ban to activities occurring below 1,000 feet above ground level. The bill directly affects individuals or entities seeking to use chemical dispersal for weather modification within the state. Key provisions include the 1,000-foot altitude restriction (added via amendments) and authorization for state environmental departments to use Louisiana Air National Guard surveillance capabilities for enforcement. The bill passed the Senate (27-12) on April 28, 2025, and now moves to the House for consideration.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 31, 2025 Signed Jun 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB46 Original → SB46 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill repealed the original law prohibiting weather modification and replaced it with a new statute that strictly bans releasing chemicals to alter temperature or weather. The new law explicitly exempts standard fire-fighting activities and agricultural operations, provided they occur below 1,000 feet. It also introduces a new enforcement mechanism requiring the state department to collect and publicly report any observed violations.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a broad prohibition on weather modification to a specific ban on chemical releases for weather alteration, while carving out explicit exceptions for fire suppression and low-altitude agriculture.

SCOPE

Removed the original text that broadly prohibited the intentional release of chemicals to affect temperature or weather.

Added a specific exemption for fire retardant and fire suppressant substances used to extinguish fires.

Modified the exemption for agricultural activities to include forestry and limit the altitude to under 1,000 feet above ground level.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new requirements for the department to establish procedures for receiving public reports of violations and to make these reports publicly available online.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House May 29, 2025

How they voted

25–12

Passed

Total votes 37

Apr 28, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican26

25 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

May 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 58, nays 33. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 21, 2025

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 12 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality.

upper

1 primary · 14 co-sponsors