H 7073Pollution & Waste

Health and Safety - Prohibited Release of Balloons

This bill establishes fines for releasing balloons and empowers the Department of Environmental Management to enforce the ban and educate the public.

Introduced

Population
Affected

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Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Environment and Natural Resources

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends existing Rhode Island law regarding the prohibited release of balloons. It specifically establishes a system of civil penalties for violations: a fine of $100 for a first offense and up to $250 for subsequent offenses. The bill designates the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), working with state and local law enforcement, as the authority responsible for enforcing these rules. Furthermore, it directs the DEM to create regulations for enforcement and authorizes the department to seek grant funding for public education campaigns regarding the environmental hazards associated with balloon releases.

For younger readers

Rhode Island has a rule that says people are not allowed to let balloons go into the sky because they eventually come down as trash and can hurt animals. This new law creates a specific punishment for breaking that rule. If a person breaks the rule, they will have to pay money, which is called a fine. The law also puts a group called the Department of Environmental Management in charge of making sure people follow the rule. This group can also try to get money to teach people why letting balloons go is bad for nature.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

General PublicDepartment of Environmental ManagementLaw EnforcementEvent PlannersParty Supply Stores

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

$100/1st offense, $250/2nd offense

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Strengthens environmental protections by establishing clear financial penalties for balloon releases, which helps reduce litter and protects local wildlife and marine ecosystems from plastic pollution.
Empowers the Department of Environmental Management to seek grant funding for public education, prioritizing community awareness and prevention regarding environmental hazards.
Clarifies enforcement jurisdiction, ensuring that environmental regulations are actively monitored by the appropriate state agency rather than being ignored or unenforced.
Imposes flat monetary fines that disproportionately penalize low-income individuals, for whom a $100 or $250 fee creates a much more significant financial burden than for wealthier residents.
Involves state and local law enforcement in non-violent civil infractions, potentially increasing unnecessary interactions between police and marginalized communities over minor offenses.
Focuses legislative energy and resources on individual behavior regarding balloons rather than addressing larger-scale industrial pollution or corporate environmental crimes that cause significantly more damage.

For Conservatives

Preserves the aesthetic beauty and cleanliness of the state's public spaces and coastline, which protects property values and supports the tourism industry.
Establishes clear, codified consequences for violating the law, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that existing statutes are effectively enforced rather than ignored.
Encourages the use of outside grants rather than direct tax increases to fund public information campaigns, minimizing the immediate financial burden on the taxpayer.
Expands the size and scope of government by granting the Department of Environmental Management more regulatory power and enforcement authority over the daily activities of private citizens.
Infringes on personal freedom and private celebrations by penalizing individuals for a harmless activity like releasing a balloon at a party, wedding, or memorial.
Creates a revenue-generating mechanism for the state through fines, which can be viewed as a hidden tax on citizens for trivial conduct.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 11 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Sections 23-96-2 and 23-96-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-96 entitled "Prohibited Release of Balloons" are hereby amended to read as follows: 23-96-2. Penalties.

(a) Any person or entity who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense and up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second or subsequent offense.

(b) The department of environmental management, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, shall have jurisdiction and shall coordinate regarding the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. 23-96-3. Regulations. The department of environmental management (the "department") shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement and ~~carry out~~ enforce the provisions of this chapter. The department may also pursue grants to create a public information campaign to inform the public of the provisions of this chapter and the hazards and damages that may stem from the release of balloons in violation of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.