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HB2042 • 2026

solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement

HB2042 - solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement

Energy
Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor
Lisa Fink, Ralph Heap, Rachel Keshel, David Marshall, Sr., Teresa Martinez, Khyl Powell, Michael Way
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
Governor vetoed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's official status indicates that it has been vetoed by the governor. This means there are uncertainties about future enforcement and potential legal challenges.

Ban on Solar Radiation Management

This bill bans people and organizations in Arizona from using materials to change how much sunlight reaches the Earth, and it sets up rules for reporting violations.

What This Bill Does

  • It makes it illegal for anyone to put substances into the air that are meant to control or alter how much sunlight reaches the ground in Arizona.
  • It stops local governments, public universities, and private groups receiving public money from giving out grants for developing technologies that manage solar radiation.
  • Any resident of Arizona can report suspected violations to the Attorney General by providing specific details about what happened.
  • The Attorney General must investigate credible complaints and may sue in court if there's evidence of a violation.
  • If someone is found guilty, the court can order them to stop doing it and pay for legal fees.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who might want to release substances that affect sunlight in Arizona
  • Local governments, public universities, and private groups receiving public money

Terms To Know

Solar radiation management
Changing the amount or intensity of sunlight reaching Earth by modifying atmospheric reflectivity.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone accidentally violates this law.
  • It is unclear how strictly this ban will be enforced and whether it will face legal challenges.
  • This bill was vetoed by the governor, so its current status is uncertain.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-10 V

    Governor vetoed

  2. 2026-03-03 House

    Transmitted to House

  3. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Senate third read passed

  4. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Senate passed

  5. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Senate first read

  6. 2026-02-26 Senate

    Transmitted to Senate

  7. 2026-02-26 House

    House third read passed

  8. 2026-02-25 House

    House committee of the whole

  9. 2026-02-03 House

    House minority caucus

  10. 2026-02-03 House

    House majority caucus

  11. 2026-02-02 House

    House consent calendar

  12. 2026-01-13 House

    House second read

  13. 2026-01-12 House

    House Rules: C&P

  14. 2026-01-12 House

    House Natural Resources, Energy & Water: DP

  15. 2026-01-12 House

    House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2042 - solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB2042 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

solar radiation
management; prohibition; enforcement

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2042

AN
ACT

amending title 49, chapter 1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 49-119; RELATING to the
environment.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 49, chapter 1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 49-119, to read:

START_STATUTE
49-119.

Solar radiation management; prohibition; enforcement; definition

A. Notwithstanding any other law, a
person may not intentionally inject, release or dispense or cause the
injection, release or dispensation of any material within the borders of this
state for solar radiation management.

B. A political subdivision of this
state, including any public university or any private entity that receives
public monies, may not provide any grants for the development of solar
radiation management technologies.

C. Any resident of this state may
submit a complaint to the attorney general alleging a violation of this
section.� Complaints must state the following:

1. The name and contact information
of the resident who submits the complaint.

2. The date or dates the alleged
violation occurred.

3. A description of the alleged
violation and the location, method and substances or compounds used, if known.

4. Any applicable supporting evidence
or documentation.

D. The attorney general shall
investigate all credible complaints submitted to the department of law pursuant
to this section.

E. The attorney general may
investigate any conduct that the attorney general has reasonable suspicion to
believe violates this section.

F. The attorney general may file an
action in the superior court alleging a violation of this section.� If the
court finds a violation, the superior court shall award injunctive relief and
reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.� The superior court may award
other relief as the court finds necessary.

G. For the purposes of this section,
"solar radiation management" means the modification or attempted
modification of atmospheric reflectivity that modifies the amount or intensity
of sunlight that reaches the earth.
END_STATUTE