A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 48-1-110, RELATING IN PART TO UNLAWFUL DISCHARGES OF AIR CONTAMINANTS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE EMISSION OF ANY AIR CONTAMINANT WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO AFFECT TEMPERATURE, WEATHER, OR SUNLIGHT INTENSITY.

Whereas, it is documented that the federal government or other entities acting on the federal government's behalf or at the federal government's request may conduct geoengineering experiments by intentionally dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere, and those activities may occur within the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the risk to human health and environmental welfare from broadscale geoengineering is currently not well understood; and

Whereas, the Department of Health and Environmental Control is responsible for monitoring air, soil, and water quality, and regulating industrial and agricultural emissions into the air, soil, and water within the State of South Carolina to ensure the safety of the public, while not impeding agriculture or commerce within the State. Effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Environmental Services shall be charged with these duties; and

Whereas, it is the intent of this General Assembly to protect the public health and welfare of South Carolinians while allowing all authorized activities permitted under state law. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 48-1-110(e) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (e)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, negligently or willfully, to discharge any air contaminant or other substance in the ambient air that shall cause an undesirable level.

       (2) The intentional injection, release, dispersion, or other emission, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, apparatus, or other air contaminants within the borders of this State with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight is prohibited.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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