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The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.
“The fact is that those balloons meant as a memorial or celebration become a deadly litter source as they are released into the air.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says animals can become entangled in balloon strings or ingest balloons, mistaking them for food, which can lead to death. They hope the bill will pass, helping raise awareness of the environmental damage balloon releases cause.
“I have personally, years ago, as a fisherman noticed dead birds out with balloons.”
Nungesser admitted that the law would be difficult to enforce, but they are hoping that having a law on the books will encourage people to not release balloons into the air.
“Obviously, someone’s not gonna show up at your birthday party and arrest your grandson, but by making it a law, everyone knows that its against the law to release them. Hopefully, most people won’t release them.”
The measure heads to the full House for further discussion.
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