Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1335
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 13-17-16; IC 13-30-10-1.5.
Synopsis: Weather control. Prohibits a person who has the intent of
affecting the intensity of sunlight, temperature, or weather from
discharging a chemical or apparatus into the atmosphere, except in
certain circumstances. Establishes that a violation is a Class B
misdemeanor.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Sweet, Patterson
January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.
2025 IN 1335—LS 6421/DI 153 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1335
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
environmental law.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 13-17-16 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 16. Weather Control
5 Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to a person who operates a
6 misting device or other temperature regulation device to warm or
7 cool individuals on the same premises as the device.
8 Sec. 2. A person may not, with the intent of affecting the
9 intensity of sunlight, temperature, or weather, discharge a
10 chemical or apparatus into the atmosphere.
11 SECTION 2. IC 13-30-10-1.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.181-2018,
12 SECTION 14, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
13 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a
14 person regulated under IC 13-22 who knowingly:
15 (1) transports hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility;
16 (2) treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste without a permit
17 issued by the department under IC 13-22; or
2025 IN 1335—LS 6421/DI 153 2
1 (3) transports, treats, stores, disposes, recycles, or causes to be
2 transported used oil regulated under rules adopted by the board
3 without a manifest or in violation of the standards established by
4 the department for the management of used oil;
5 commits a Class B misdemeanor.
6 (b) Notwithstanding the maximum fine provisions of IC 35-50-3-3,
7 criminal fines for a person convicted of an offense described in
8 subsection (a) shall be assessable in a maximum amount of not less
9 than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation.
10 (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), a person regulated under
11 IC 13-17 who knowingly violates:
12 (1) any applicable requirements of IC 13-17-4, IC 13-17-5,
13 IC 13-17-6, IC 13-17-7, IC 13-17-8, IC 13-17-9, IC 13-17-10, or
14 IC 13-17-13 or of rules of the board implementing the chapters
15 referred to in this subdivision;
16 (2) any condition of a permit issued by the department under
17 IC 13-17; or
18 (3) any fee or filing requirement in IC 13-17, including the
19 requirement to file an application for a permit under IC 13-17;
20 commits a Class C misdemeanor.
21 (d) Notwithstanding the maximum fine provisions of IC 35-50-3-4,
22 criminal fines for a person convicted of an offense described in
23 subsection (c) shall be assessable in a maximum amount of not less
24 than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation.
25 (e) Except as provided in subsection (f), a person who willfully or
26 negligently violates:
27 (1) any applicable standards or limitations of IC 13-18-3-2.4,
28 IC 13-18-4-5, IC 13-18-12, IC 13-18-14, IC 13-18-15, or
29 IC 13-18-16 or of rules of the board implementing the chapters
30 referred to in this subdivision;
31 (2) any condition of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
32 System permit issued by the department under IC 13-18-19 or
33 rules adopted by the board under IC 13-18-19;
34 (3) any National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit
35 filing requirement under IC 13-18-19; or
36 (4) any condition of a permit issued by the department in
37 accordance with the requirements of 33 U.S.C. 1344;
38 commits a Class A misdemeanor.
39 (f) Notwithstanding the maximum fine provisions of IC 35-50-3-2,
40 criminal fines for a person convicted of an offense described in
41 subsection (e) shall be assessable in a maximum amount of not less
42 than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation.
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1 (g) A person who willfully or recklessly violates any applicable
2 standards or limitations of IC 13-18-8 commits a Class B misdemeanor.
3 (h) A person who willfully or recklessly violates any applicable
4 standards or limitations of IC 13-18-9, IC 13-18-10, or IC 13-18-10.5
5 commits a Class C misdemeanor.
6 (i) A person who:
7 (1) knowingly commits any act described in subsection (a), (c), or
8 (e); and
9 (2) knows that commission of the act places another person in
10 imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury;
11 commits a Level 4 felony. However, the offense is a Level 3 felony if
12 it results in serious bodily injury to any person, and a Level 2 felony if
13 it results in the death of any person.
14 (j) It shall be a defense to an offense described in subsection (i) that
15 the person charged:
16 (1) did not know; or
17 (2) could not reasonably have been expected to know;
18 that the violation would place another person in imminent danger or
19 threat of serious bodily injury. For the purposes of subsection (i), a
20 person is responsible only for the person's own actual awareness or
21 actual belief, and knowledge by another person may not be attributed
22 to the person.
23 (k) A person who violates IC 13-17-16-2 commits a Class B
24 misdemeanor.
25 (k) (l) The penalties under this section apply regardless of whether
26 a person uses electronic submissions or paper documents to accomplish
27 the actions described in this section.
2025 IN 1335—LS 6421/DI 153