Related video: A group releases balloons during a vigil in Florida.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A bill prohibiting planned releases of balloons is on its way to Governor DeSantis’ desk to be signed.
House Bill 321 would make the intentional release of balloons unlawful and would be considered a noncriminal littering infraction.
The bill says anyone who organizes or joins in on a balloon release will face a fine of $150 for littering, of which $50 of that fee will be deposited to the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund for its grant program.
In addition, anyone who intentionally dumps litter onto private property can face a first-degree misdemeanor charge, according to the bill. If the litter contains a “credible threat,” that person can face a third-degree felony charge.
Exceptions to this bill would be hot air balloons recovered after launching or balloons released indoors.
Oceana, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation, applauded lawmakers’ decision to send this bill to DeSantis but said they must continue tackling the plastic pollution crisis.
“Florida made the right call today in banning intentional balloon releases. Balloons are one of the deadliest forms of plastic pollution for ocean wildlife,” Oceana Field Campaigns Manager Hunter Miller said. “It’s great to see state legislators from both sides of the aisle come together to support a commonsense bill and get it passed. We call on Governor DeSantis to quickly sign this into law.”
In a revised version of the bill, children six years old and younger are excluded from this rule.
On Tuesday evening, the bill received 102 yeas and nine nays.
If DeSantis signs the bill, it will go into effect on July 1.
