A bill introduced in Florida aims to ban the release of any lighter-than-air balloons due to environmental concerns. The legislation, SB 602, recently passed its first committee with unanimous support. If enacted into law by July 1, intentional balloon releases would be considered littering, carrying a $150 fine. Violations involving balloons over 15 pounds could incur fines up to $1,000. State Sen. Jason Brodeur emphasized the environmental impact, highlighting how balloons, if not caught on obstacles, end up in oceans, posing threats to marine wildlife. The bill also eliminates the provision allowing biodegradable balloons, as none meet state requirements. The proposed law exempts weather, research, and recovered hot air balloons.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s article “What Goes Up, Must Come Down” underscores the peril balloons pose in the ocean, where they are often mistaken for food by marine wildlife. Once ingested, balloons can lead to suffocation, starvation, internal injury, and death. The bill seeks to address these concerns while maintaining allowances for certain balloon types. The identical House bill is labeled HB 321, and the Senate bill is set to proceed to the Community Affairs committee.
