What's happening
This bill prohibits the intentional outdoor release of certain balloons in New York, with exceptions for scientific and hot air balloons.
Why it matters
Reduces Environmental Harm. By banning the intentional outdoor release of most helium and lighter-than-air balloons, the bill aims to address balloon litter, which can pollute waterways and landscapes, harm wildlife, and contribute to microplastic pollution.
Targets Both Metallic and Latex Balloons. The law prohibits releases of metallic (electrically conductive) balloons individually, and restricts large-scale releases (25 or more) of non-metallic balloons, reflecting concerns about both wildlife safety and power outages caused by metallic balloons.
Allows for Scientific and Safety Exceptions. The bill includes exceptions for balloons used in scientific research or meteorological studies, as well as manned hot air balloons, ensuring essential activities are not hindered.
Creates New Legal Responsibility. By making it illegal to intentionally release balloons outdoors, the bill places new responsibilities on individuals, event organizers, and businesses to change common celebratory practices and seek environmentally friendly alternatives.
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Who cares
Event organizers
The bill would prohibit knowingly releasing outdoors any electrically conductive balloon filled with helium or another lighter-than-air gas, or 25 or more nonconductive balloons so filled within 24 hours.
Balloon vendors and decorators
Vendors and decorators conducting outdoor balloon releases would need to follow the bill’s restrictions on balloon material, gas and quantity.
Scientists and government research contractors
The bill would exempt balloons carrying scientific instruments during experiments or tests and qualifying government-related scientific or meteorological uses.
Manned hot air balloon operators
The bill would expressly exempt manned hot air balloons from its release restrictions.
Headline styles
Ban Outdoor Balloon Releases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Outdoor Balloon Releases
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6777
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
October 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the release of certain balloons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 11-0331 to read as follows: § 11-0331. Release of certain balloons prohibited.
1. No person shall knowingly release or intentionally cause to be released outdoors any balloon constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with helium or a gas lighter than air.
2. No person shall knowingly release or intentionally cause to be released outdoors, within a twenty-four hour period, twenty-five or more balloons constructed of non-electrically conductive material and filled with helium or a gas lighter than air.
3. This section shall not apply to:
(a) balloons which are used for the purpose of carrying scientific instrumentation during the performance of an experiment or test or by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes; or
(b) manned hot air balloons.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06419-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the release of certain balloons
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to reduce the negative environmental impact of certain balloon releases.
Summary of provisions
This bill would prohibit the mass release of helium balloons outdoors and the release of any balloons made of electrically conductive material (e.g. mylar). Exemptions to this prohibition include: balloons used for scientific experiments.
Justification
When balloons are released they infiltrate ecosystems, posing as foods for various fish, sea creatures, birds and other animals. Balloons can also injure wildlife if severely entangled. In addition, Mylar balloons have become entangled in power lines and resulted in power outages. The reasonable limitations on balloon releases in this bill, which is based in part on a California law, would serve to protect the environment and wildlife.
Prior legislative history
This is new legislation.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.