Florida lawmakers have moved forward a bill that would make it illegal to intentionally release balloons.
HB 321 passed the full House on Thursday by a vote of 114 to 1.
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The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, would ban balloon releases due to the harmful impact on marine animals and birds.
The bill would consider balloon releases littering, and people who are found in violation would face a fine of up to $150.
A related bill, HB 1641, would allow the state to regulate the use of “auxiliary containers.”
This means that any laws regarding single-use bags, cups, bottles, cans, or any other packaging would not be able to move forward at the local level.
Additionally, any existing laws regulating these sorts of single-use plastics would be pre-empted to the state.
Similar bills are moving through the Florida Senate.
If any of these bills become law, they will take effect on July 1, 2024.