Florida lawmakers pass bill banning intentional release of balloons
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Legislature passed a bill banning balloon releases often seen at weddings or even gender reveals, and it now is heading to the governor's desk.
They are often released with the high hopes of honoring a loved one or for celebrations, but environmental groups say it has deadly consequences for marine life.
"When I see a huge release of balloons, it kind of makes me feel like, ‘oh, we could be doing so much better than this,’ and I'd love to go talk to those folks and tell them why they should try something else," said J.P. Brooker, the Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Florida Conservation.
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In reality, those balloons deflate and end up floating in the water, where experts say sea turtles mistake the rubber remnants for their usual meal of jelly fish.
"It can ultimately kill them, because it fills their intestinal system with this debris that's not food. And ultimately, they starve to death," said Brooker. "But we're finding increasingly, that the same is true for manatees, many manatees that have been necropsy in Florida after they've been found dead, are found to have balloons and other plastic debris in their systems."
On Tuesday, the Florida Senate passed HB 321, which would make the intentional release of balloons illegal and classify it as a noncriminal littering infraction. The bill cites the wildlife and environmental danger stemming from this ‘balloon litter’ as a factor leading to the bill's need.
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"Balloons take years to break down and often end up in waterways or the ocean, where they can be swallowed by marine animals," the bill's summary analysis reads.
Under the bill, anyone who takes part in or organizes a balloon release would face a $150 fine for littering. Of that $150, $50 of that fee would be deposited to the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund grant program.
Children six years old and under are exempted from the rule. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis' desk.
Florida law currently prohibits the release of 10 or more balloons within 24 hours.
For some, it may sound like over regulation, but environmental groups say its long overdue. Stacey Gallagher with the Sea Turtle Conservancy said balloons take a long time to degrade.
"The decisions that we make here have global impacts. And these balloons, the folks who monitor Florida’s beaches during nesting season, encounter them on a daily basis, but especially after big holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day," said Brooker.
One study of sea turtles showed 78% of rubber found in a sea turtle's belly came from balloon fragments. Gallagher said with this new legislation, it’s important to educate the public on alternatives.
"There are a lot of other really great ways that you can honor a loved one by planting trees, by planting native plants. That will be a lot more long lasting and will help the environment as opposed to potentially damaging our wildlife," said Gallagher.