Senate Bill No. 452 aims to prohibit the release of any helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloons into the atmosphere, replacing the previous law that allowed the release of fewer than ten balloons within a 24-hour period. The bill also mandates that retailers selling these balloons must attach weights to them to prevent them from rising. Any violation of these provisions will be classified as an infraction, which is a change from the previous law that only classified the release of ten or more balloons as an infraction.

The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and is expected to generate minimal revenue for the state through fines for violations. Currently, there have been no recorded offenses under the existing law from FY 22 to FY 25. The fines for infractions typically range from $35 to $90, plus additional surcharges, with the total fine for illegal balloon releases currently set at $75.

Statutes affected:
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 26-25c
File No. 369: 26-25c