HB25 • 2026

Air pollution; dispersion of items intended to affect weather prohibited; pollution reduction fund created; environmental management department required to administer

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Butler (M)
Last action: 2026-02-12
Official status: Read Second Time in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is October 1, 2026, but the current legislative status shown indicates it was read for a second time on February 12, 2026; final passage or veto action may still be pending despite metadata labels.

Ban on Weather-Affecting Substances and New Air Pollution Fund

This bill bans releasing chemicals or devices into the air to change weather, creates a new fund for reducing pollution using fines from violations, and requires state agencies to manage reports.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits anyone from injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals, compounds, substances, or apparatuses into the atmosphere within or above Alabama to affect temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity.
Sets a criminal penalty of a Class B misdemeanor and fines up to $100,000 for each violation.
Establishes the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund in the State Treasury using money collected from these fines.
Requires the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to administer the fund to reduce air pollution.
Mandates that the department create a publicly available email address and online form so people can report violations.

Who It Names or Affects

Any person who releases chemicals, compounds, substances, or apparatuses into the atmosphere within or above Alabama for weather-related purposes.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, which must administer the new fund and rules.
People in Alabama who observe potential violations and wish to report them.

Terms To Know

Class B misdemeanor: A type of criminal offense defined by state law that can result in a fine or jail time.
Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund: A new account created to hold fines collected from weather-related pollution violations for use in reducing air pollution.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify which specific chemicals or devices are banned, only those used with the purpose of affecting weather.
The text states when the law starts (October 1, 2026) but does not list how much money is currently in the new fund.

Bill History

2026-02-12 House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-02-11 House
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government

Official Summary Text

Air pollution; dispersion of items intended to affect weather prohibited; pollution reduction fund created; environmental management department required to administer

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB25 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB25
U9375GG-1
By Representatives Butler, Gidley, Lamb, Harrison, Fidler,
Bolton
RFD: State Government
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 11-Aug-25
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U9375GG-1 07/11/2025 ZAK (L)lg 2025-2025
Page 1
PFD: 11-Aug-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, certain measures are
provided to maintain and improve air quality in this
state.
This bill would prohibit the dispersion of
compounds or substances into the atmosphere for the
purpose of affecting the weather.
This bill would provide a criminal penalty for
violations.
This bill would create the Alabama Air Pollution
Control Fund to be used for reducing air pollution in
this state.
This bill would also require the Alabama
Department of Environmental Management to administer
this fund and to establish an email address and online
form to be used by persons reporting violations.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to air pollution; to prohibit the dispersion
of compounds or substances into the atmosphere to affect the
weather; to provide criminal penalties for violations; to
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HB25 INTRODUCED
Page 2
weather; to provide criminal penalties for violations; to
establish the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund for reducing
air pollution; and to require the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management to administer this fund and
facilitate the reporting of violations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) No person may inject, release, or
disperse, by any means, a chemical, a chemical compound, a
substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within or above
this state for the purpose of affecting the weather, including
temperature, climate, and intensity of sunlight.
(b) A person that violates subsection (a) shall be
guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and shall be fined not more
than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Each violation
shall be a separate offense.
(c)(1) All fines collected pursuant to subsection (b)
shall be deposited in the Alabama Air Pollution Control Fund
that is hereby established in the State Treasury. The fund
shall be administered by the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management for reducing air pollution in this
state.
(2) Receipts deposited into the fund shall be disbursed
only by warrants of the Comptroller drawn upon the State
Treasury on itemized vouchers approved by the director of the
department. No funds shall be withdrawn or expended except as
budgeted and allotted according to Sections 41-4-80 to
41-4-96 , Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and Sections
41-19-1 to 41-19-12 , Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and only
in amounts as stipulated in the general appropriations act,
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HB25 INTRODUCED
Page 3
in amounts as stipulated in the general appropriations act,
other appropriation acts, or this section. At the end of each
fiscal year, any unencumbered balance shall not revert to the
State General Fund under Section 41-4-93, Code of Alabama
1975.
(d)(1) Any person who observes a violation of
subsection (a) may submit a report of the violation to the
Alabama Department of Environmental Management on the
department's website or by telephone, United States mail, or
electronic mail.
(2) The department shall establish a publicly available
email address and online form to allow the reporting of
violations.
(e) The Alabama Department of Environmental Management
shall adopt rules to administer this section.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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