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HB 1618 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Ban on weather modification programs

AI-generated

prohibiting solar radiation modification, weather modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions.

Establishes a regulatory process prohibiting solar radiation modification, weather modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions, sets penalties for violations, and requires that violations be reported to county sheriffs or deputized citizens for enforcement.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a regulatory process to prohibit solar radiation modification (SRM), geoengineering, or other atmospheric interventions involving the release of pollutants within the state, providing penalties for violations. This bill requires reports of such violations to be made to the New Hampshire county sheriffs or deputized New Hampshire citizens to enforce the provisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Air national guard" means the New Hampshire air national guard (NH ANG), a reserve component of the United States Air Force.”
RSA 12-F:1
“No person or entity shall engage in solar radiation modification (SRM) in New Hampshire, including through the use of an aircraft, balloon, space-based platform, ground generators, or interoperable ground-based facility.”
RSA 12-F:2
“A county sherriff shall immediately issue a cease-and-desist order when an unlawful polluting atmospheric intervention is suspected.”
RSA 12-F:3
“If an activity deemed a hazard by this act has been approved, explicitly or implicitly, by the federal government, the sheriff shall issue a notice to the appropriate federal agency that the activity cannot lawfully be carried out within or over the state of New Hampshire.”
RSA 12-F:4

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing

Also: Rep. Rita MattsonR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Peter MeheganR

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support the bill to stop any solar radiation modification (solar geoengineering in our state.…”
— Susan DeRoy, New Durhamsupports
“Opposition Testimony for HB 1618 I oppose HB 1618, a bill that seeks to prohibit solar radiation modification, weather modification, and other atmospheric interventions.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy6:23:14–6:25:152m 1slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 04:00 pm GP 229
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 04:00 pm GP 229
  4. Jan 14, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/14/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 5 P. 16
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 20

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.