SB 473 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Prohibit weather modification.

SB 473 prohibits most weather modification activities in Montana, specifically banning large-scale "geoengineering" projects like spraying particles into the atmosphere to alter climate (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection or marine cloud brightening). It exempts established cloud seeding practices used for agriculture and snowmaking under existing law (85-3-101 through 85-3-424). The bill directly affects researchers, companies, or entities conducting weather-altering experiments within Montana’s borders. Key provisions ban intentionally releasing chemicals or devices for weather control, temperature modification, or sunlight intensity changes, except for permitted cloud seeding. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 25, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0473_1(7).pdf SB0473_2.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was significantly rewritten to explicitly prohibit 'geoengineering' while creating a specific exception for traditional 'cloud seeding.' The original text broadly banned weather modification, but the new version clarifies that small-scale, proven agricultural cloud seeding is allowed. It also added detailed definitions for terms like 'geoengineering,' 'solar radiation management,' and 'stratospheric aerosol injection' to ensure these large-scale climate interventions are clearly distinguished from permitted weather activities.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified; it now explicitly permits cloud seeding for water resource management while banning large-scale geoengineering interventions.
DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'geoengineering,' 'cloud seeding,' 'marine cloud brightening,' 'solar radiation management,' and 'stratospheric aerosol injection' to clarify what is banned versus what is allowed.

SCOPE

Changed the prohibition from a general ban on all weather modification to a specific ban on 'geoengineering,' explicitly exempting traditional cloud seeding.

TIMELINE

Added a new section stating that the act is effective immediately upon passage and approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

2921
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic18
2 Yea 16 Nay
88% Nay
R Republican32
27 Yea 5 Nay
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Apr 10, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (45-55)
house
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (29-21)
senate
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bob Phalen
Bob Phalen
RRepublican
MT
17