BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s Legislature has passed a bill inspired by the debunked “chemtrail” conspiracy theory, adding the state to a growing list of places where misinformation is shaping public policy.
Rep. Kimberly Landry Coates (R) introduced the bill, warning colleagues it might “seem strange.” It prohibits intentionally dispersing chemicals to affect weather or sunlight and directs the Department of Environmental Quality to collect reports from residents who think they’ve witnessed such activity.
Experts say the white streaks seen behind airplanes—so-called “chemtrails”—are actually water vapor contrails formed under specific atmospheric conditions. “It’s pure myth and conspiracy,” said Ken Leppert, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
While the bill doesn’t ban legitimate cloud seeding, scientists say such weather modification remains limited and imprecise. Opponents, including Rep. Denise Marcelle (D), warned the bill distracts from Louisiana’s real issues, such as poverty and maternal mortality.
Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill. Similar proposals have passed in Tennessee and Florida, with at least a dozen other states considering related legislation. Critics worry such measures lend legitimacy to disinformation and waste legislative time.
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