The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1154, mandates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to collaborate with helium industry representatives, including manufacturers and distributors, to create a schedule for phasing out the use of helium in filling lighter-than-air balloons by December 31, 2027. This schedule must be developed by October 1, 2025, and the DEEP commissioner is required to submit a report to the Environment Committee by February 1, 2026, detailing the schedule, progress made, and any additional legislative recommendations related to lighter-than-air balloons.

The bill introduces new legal language that establishes the timeline and responsibilities for the phase-out process, while there are no deletions from current law noted in the text. The fiscal impact of the bill is expected to be negligible, as DEEP has the necessary resources to implement the requirements without incurring additional costs. The act is effective upon passage.