Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

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Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

More specifically, as of July 1, it is illegal to release balloons that have been “inflated with a gas that is lighter than air”. Doing so is punishable under the Florida Litter Law. As a result of this bill, the Florida Litter Law’s language has been altered.

Its definition of “litter” now applies to balloons. In addition, its definition of “dump” now includes “to intentionally release, organize the release of, or intentionally cause to be released” with respect to balloons.

Initially, the second page of the bill read that releasing balloons was legal so long as fewer than 10 were released within 24 hours of each other or if the balloon materials were biodegradable or photodegradable. However, in order to more strongly enforce a change, these stipulations were removed. A standing stipulation is that this law’s effects do not apply to 6-year-old children or those who are younger.

House Bill 321 was prepared by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and filed on November 2, 2023, before going to a vote in the Senate and House. While they did not vote unanimously, the votes were decisive at 38-2 and 102-9, in the Senate and House respectively. Governor DeSantis then approved the bill on June 24, and it is officially effective as of July 1.

For complete details on this new law, click here to read the full 5 pages of House Bill 321. For the official summary of the bill, click here.
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Article by Ema Tibbetts