By Bob Katzen

Another bill heard by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee would ban the intentional release in the air of any type of balloon that is filled with helium or any other type of gas that is lighter than air. First-time offenders would be fined $100 and an additional $100 per ten balloons released. Subsequent violations would be fined $500 and an additional $100 per ten balloons released.

The ban and fines would not apply to balloons released by or on behalf of a state agency or the United States for scientific or meteorological purposes; hot air balloons that are recovered after their launch; and balloons released by a person under the age of 12.

The state would also be required to prepare and make available to retail distributors of balloons notice of this new law and information about the harmful effects of releasing balloons into the environment. The notice must be available in English and in any other language spoken by at least ten percent of the Massachusetts population.

Supporters noted that the idea for this bill was first presented by the Provincetown Elementary School 3rd grade class. They said that balloons present a threat of entanglement and ingestion to birds, marine life and mammals.

“I sponsored this bill which was previously filed by former Rep. Sarah Peake, with the hope that Massachusetts will follow other states, towns and cities in addressing this environmental waste danger,” said sponsor Rep. Hadley Luddy (D-Orleans). “I look forward to working with the committee to move this legislation forward.”