Senate to consider bill targeting intentional balloon releases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida legislation revising the prohibition of intentional balloon releases is now set for its final Senate committee following passage by the House.

Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, sponsored the legislation in the House, HB 321, and Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, filed the Senate companion.

The original legislation only applied to individuals intentionally releasing 10 or more balloons within a 24 hour time period.

Following an amendment in a committee stop, Chaney’s bill would it make it so anyone who intentionally releases a single balloon, filled with a gas lighter than air, is subject to a noncriminal littering infraction, with a fine of up to $150.

“There is no good reason to intentionally release a balloon and there are a lot of bad reasons,” Chaney said on the House floor.

She explained that the requirements included balloons labeled as biodegradable.

“This bill is supported by the Retail Federation, the Cattleman Association, multiple environmental groups, and by moving the intentional release of a balloon to the litter statute, it is my hope that education and awareness of the dangers of intentionally releasing a balloon when celebrating is brought to light,” she said.

The House bill passed 114-1, with Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, voting against it. Its next stop is on the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy.