A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Clear Skies Act aims to prohibit weather modification within the United States and its territories. It defines weather modification as the injection, release, or dispersal of substances into the atmosphere to change its composition, behavior, dynamics, or sunlight intensity. Under this bill, those who knowingly conduct such activities face criminal fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years. Additionally, the EPA may impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The Act also establishes a public reporting system and repeals existing federal authorities that allow or require weather modification.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal oversight through the EPA and establishment of a new reporting system.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates a public reporting system for suspected weather modification violations.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill prevents intentional atmospheric manipulation which could have environmental impacts.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill prohibits certain weather modification activities which could impact specialized industries.
- Scored -5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The prohibition of weather modification like cloud seeding may negatively impact agricultural water and weather management.
- Scored -5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill repeals federal authorities that might otherwise support weather modification research and applications.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Establishment of a Public Reporting System: The EPA, in coordination with the FAA and NOAA, will create a system for the public to report suspected violations, which can be done via telephone, email, mail, or an online portal (Section 3(a)).
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Transparency of Reported Activities: The EPA is required to make any reports collected through the new system publicly available on its website (Section 3(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties: Individuals who knowingly conduct weather modification could face fines of up to $100,000 and up to 5 years in prison (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Civil Penalties: The EPA, working with the FAA, can impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Multiple Violations for Single Events: Each instance of injection, release, emission, or dispersal is treated as a separate violation, which could increase total penalties (Section 2(c)(3)).
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Repeal of Existing Authorities: The Act repeals federal statutes and nullifies any federal regulations or executive orders that currently authorize or require weather modification, including any existing licensing or permit requirements (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill prohibits certain weather modification activities which could impact specialized industries. Would farmers be better off under this? — The prohibition of weather modification like cloud seeding may negatively impact agricultural water and weather management.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a public reporting system for suspected weather modification violations. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight through the EPA and establishment of a new reporting system.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill repeals federal authorities that might otherwise support weather modification research and applications.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill prevents intentional atmospheric manipulation which could have environmental impacts.
- 11/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Thomas MassieRepublican · Kentucky
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin