BILL NUMBER: S75
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
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 helium balloons by prohibiting the mass release of helium balloons
outdoors.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends the environmental conservation law by
adding new section 11-0331 which prohibits the outdoor release of twen-
ty-five or more balloons constructed of electrically conductive material
and filled with helium or a gas lighter than air. This section does not
apply to balloons which are used for the purpose of carrying scientific
instrumentation for scientific or meteorological purposes or manned hot
air balloons.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
While the release of balloons outdoors may seem like a harmless activ-
ity, the litter caused by these balloons have a significant impact on
the environment. Balloons released outdoors infiltrate ecosystems and
can pose hazards for marine life, birds, and other animals. In addition,
these balloons can also become entangled in power lines and result in
power outages. This bill, based in part on a California law, would serve
to protect the environment and wildlife by reasonably limiting outdoor
balloon release.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S605A (Kavanagh) - REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION /A4006
(Glick) -referred to environmental conservation
2023: S605A (Kavanagh) - REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION /A4006
(Glick) -referred to environmental conservation
Senate:
2022: S2812A (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2021: S2812A (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2020: S2320 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2019: S2320 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2018: S7094 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2012: S2750A (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2011: S2750A (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2010: S0869 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2009: S0869 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2008: S0216 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2007: S0216 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2006: S0714 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2005: S0714 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2004: S0920 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2003: S0920 (Lavalle) - Referred to Environmental Conservation; reported
to Rules
Similar Senate Bill:
2022: S0802 (Biaggi) Referred to Environmental Conservation
2021: S0802 (Biaggi) Referred to Environmental Conservation
2020: S6777 (Biaggi) Referred to Environmental Conservation
2019: S6777 (Biaggi) - Referred to Rules
Assembly:
2022: A3021 (Englebright) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2021: A3021 (Englebright) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2020: A4754 (Englebright) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2019: A4754 (Englebright) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2017: A1832 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation; enact-
ing clause stricken
2016: A05791 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2015: A05791 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
2014: A01045 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2013: A01045 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2012: A02160 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Ccdes, Rules
2011: A02160 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental. Conservation;
reported to Codes, Rules, Floor
2010: A00709 (Kavanagh) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes, Rules, Floor
2009: A00709 (Kavanagh) - Passed Assembly
2008: A07630 (Kavanagh) - Passed Assembly
2007: A07630 (Kavanagh) - Passed Assembly
2007: A00449 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2006: A01373 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2005: A01373 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
2004: A01850 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
2003: A01850 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
2002: A00299 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
2001: A00299 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation -
Referred to Environmental Conservation;
2000: A01151 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
1999: A01151 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation;
reported to Codes
1998: A00464 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
1997: A00464 - (Grannis) - Referred to Envirnnmental Conservation
1996: A00638 (Grannis) - Referred to Environmental Conservation
1995: A00638 (Grannis) - Passed Assembly
1994: A00617 (Grannis) Passed Assembly
1993: A00617 (Grannis) Passed Assembly
1992: A05278 (Grannis) Passed Assembly
1991: A05278 (Grannis) - Passed Assembly
1990: A09603 (Grannis) - Referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.