Senate Bill 360 aims to regulate the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, specifically those made of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (Mylar) and inflated with lighter-than-air gas. The bill prohibits the release of 10 or more such balloons, with violations subject to a $500 forfeiture. Exceptions to this prohibition include balloons released indoors with property owner consent, those released for scientific or meteorological purposes, and balloons released by government agencies for similar purposes. The bill also grants the Department of Natural Resources the authority to create rules necessary for its implementation.

In addition to the new regulations, the bill amends existing statutes related to the enforcement of forfeitures and penalties. It includes the insertion of the new section 287.83, which outlines the limitations on balloon releases, and updates sections 23.50, 23.65, 287.91, and 287.97 to incorporate the new provisions. Notably, the penalties for violations of the new balloon release regulations are specified in the newly created section 287.97 (2), which establishes a forfeiture of not less than $500 for each violation of section 287.83.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 23.50(1), 23.50, 23.65(1), 23.65, 287.91(1), 287.91