To enact section 2917.43 of the Revised Code to prohibit a person from engaging in solar radiation modification, cloud seeding, or sunlight reflection methods, and to name the act the Atmosphere Protection Act.
Summary
HB290 would create a new criminal offense in the Ohio Revised Code prohibiting any person or entity from engaging in “solar radiation modification,” “cloud seeding,” or “sunlight reflection methods” within the state. The bill defines these terms broadly to include activities such as marine cloud brightening, space-based reflectors, and stratospheric aerosol injection, and it also defines “pollutant” expansively to cover a wide range of substances and physical agents. The measure is titled the Atmosphere Protection Act.
The bill authorizes the superintendent of the state highway patrol or a county sheriff to issue cease-and-desist orders to anyone they determine is conducting or attempting to conduct the prohibited activities. It makes violations strict liability offenses, meaning the state would not need to prove intent, and it exempts the offense from the general strict-liability limitation in section 2901.20. A violation would be a third-degree felony, carrying a mandatory 36-month prison term and a minimum $500,000 fine.
Impact
If enacted, HB290 would add a new section to Chapter 2917 of the Revised Code and create a new felony offense tied to weather modification and sunlight-reflection activities. It would give law enforcement direct authority to stop suspected conduct through cease-and-desist orders and would impose severe criminal penalties on individuals or entities found in violation. The bill would affect researchers, contractors, atmospheric or geoengineering-related operators, and potentially any person using aircraft, balloons, drones, space-based platforms, or ground-based systems for the prohibited purposes.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be introduced in a strongly prohibitive posture, with no recorded committee debate or votes yet. The bill’s framing suggests support from sponsors who view these activities as a threat to the atmosphere or public welfare. Because there are no transcripts or vote records, there is no documented opposition or support in the available history beyond the bill’s introduction and referral to the House Natural Resources Committee.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the breadth of the definitions and the severity of the penalties. Critics could argue that the bill sweeps in legitimate scientific research, environmental intervention, or weather-modification activities by defining “solar radiation modification” and “pollutant” very broadly, while supporters would likely emphasize precaution and the desire to prevent unregulated geoengineering. Another likely issue is enforcement authority: the bill gives highway patrol and county sheriffs power to issue cease-and-desist orders based on their determinations, which could raise concerns about discretion, proof, and due process. The mandatory prison term and large minimum fine also make the bill unusually punitive for this subject area.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.