The Iowa House Environmental Protection Committee passed a bill that would prohibit intentional efforts to alter weather patterns within the state, as House File 2173 advanced through committee this week.
As written, the bill would make it a Class “D” felony to intentionally emit, inject, release or disperse chemicals or other substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of affecting temperature, moisture, climate or sunlight intensity. Supporters describe the proposal as a “moratorium” designed to create a baseline prohibition in state law where none currently exists.
Republican Rep. Sam Wengryn said current Iowa code does not address weather modification activities at all.
“The current law does not address the topic,” he said. “This bill should prohibit any means of attempting to affect the weather, temperature, climate, intensity of sunlight, moisture, etc.”
Wengryn noted that while the legislation is similar to a bill considered last year, it differs significantly from prior versions that critics said were overly broad.
Several western states, including North Dakota, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Texas, have used cloud-seeding techniques to increase precipitation in drought-prone regions. Wengryn argued Iowa currently has no statutory clarity regarding whether such activities would be permitted or prohibited.
“Since there’s nothing in code right now that says they can’t do it or that they can — it’s just this gray area about who’s responsible,” Wengryn said. “This puts a moratorium on that.”
Democrat lawmakers questioned whether the bill addresses an existing problem in Iowa.
Democrat Rep. Mary Madison raised concerns about practicality and enforcement.
“There is so much else that we could do. The water’s polluted… This is more of wishful thinking,” Madison said. “How are we going to capture whatever somebody might be putting in the atmosphere? Clouds disperse. What would you do?”
Madison also argued that cloud-seeding efforts in drought-stricken states are often viewed as beneficial.
“In various places, they need the water. So the seeding is more of a help to the community because it’s so dry,” she said. “Sometimes it’s advantageous.”
Wengryn acknowledged the concern but maintained that Iowa should first establish guardrails.
“The way it is now in code, there’s nothing to cover it,” he said. “I’d much rather create a baseline that we can move forward from — permits, licenses, insurance — in case we need to do this later.”
He also referenced past controversies surrounding weather modification efforts in other states, arguing that even where causation is unclear, accountability mechanisms are important.
“If we put a guardrail in now, we’ll be able to at least come back to it later in case we need to do this — like help with drought or any of that,” Wengryn said.
What HF2173 does:
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Prohibits intentional weather modification activities not currently regulated by state or federal law.
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Establishes felony penalties for violations.
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Allows civil penalties up to $100,000 for corporate actors.
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Creates a framework for potential future regulation should Iowa choose to authorize such activities.
The bill now moves forward as legislators continue to debate whether Iowa should formally prohibit atmospheric modification efforts or leave the matter to federal oversight.
