This week , Florida lawmakers passed lawmaking cast out the intentional release of balloon outside , in a command to crack down on litter and protect wildlife . The bill , which was passed by the Florida House and Senate , will now manoeuver to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis to be signed into law . All being well , it will go into effect on July 1 .
At present tense , it ’s illegal to unfreeze more than 10 balloons in 24 60 minutes , accord to state law . However , House Bill 321 , as the Modern legislation is get laid , will make the outdoor release of any balloons a littering criminal offence , with amercement of up to $ 150 for offenders over the age of 6 .
Florida is pose to join several other states – Arizona , California , Connecticut , Kentucky , Maine , Maryland , Tennessee , and Virginia – which have also curb the outdoor release of balloons , according toUSA Today .
“ Florida made the right-hand call [ … ] in banning knowing balloon expiration , ” suppose Oceana Field Campaigns Manager Hunter Miller in apress release .
Once released , balloons can scent up in the sea , where they stick a terror to jeopardise sea turtle , seabird , and other marine wildlife . Often consume , accept , or a rootage of web , balloon and their various attachment are among themost deadlyforms of plastic befoulment for ocean - dwelling beast . They also impart to the171 trillion piecesof plastic floating in the world ’s sea .
The news of a ban , therefore , has been well received by preservation groups . “ We are thrilled to see this bill fade and eagerly await the Governor ’s signature , ” Jon Paul “ J.P. ” Brooker , Ocean Conservancy ’s Director of Florida Conservation , said in astatement . “ For year , Ocean Conservancy has passionately recommend for this polar quantity to shield our marine ecosystem from the harmful event of balloon litter . ”
These sentiment were echo by the Sea Turtle Conservancy in aFacebook post : “ We are so grateful to the bill presenter , our partner organizations , and citizen who lick so hard to get this bill to the finish bloodline . Now that the broadsheet is heading to Governor DeSantis ’ desk , we are urge him to sign it to protect our ocean turtleneck and their coastal and in - piss home ground . ”
