HB 91 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0091-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the release of balloons; amending 2
s. 379.233, F.S.; removing a provision authorizing the 3
specified release of certain balloons; removing an 4
exemption from such provision for biodegradable or 5
photodegradable balloons; conforming a provision; 6
providing an effective date. 7
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
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Section 1. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 379.233, 11
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 12
379.233 Release of balloons. — 13
(2) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to 14
intentionally release, organize the release, or intentionally 15
cause to be released within a 24-hour period 10 or more balloons 16
inflated with a gas that is lighter than air except for: 17
(a) Balloons released by a person on behalf of a 18
governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for 19
scientific or meteorological purposes; 20
(b) Hot air balloons that are recovered afte r launching; 21
or 22
(c) Balloons released indoors ; or 23
(d) Balloons that are either biodegradable or 24
photodegradable, as determined by rule of the Fish and Wildlife 25
HB 91 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0091-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Conservation Commission, and which are closed by a hand -tied 26
knot in the stem of the balloon without string, ribbon, or other 27
attachments. In the event that any balloons are released 28
pursuant to the exemption established in this paragraph, the 29
party responsible for the release shall make available to any 30
law enforcement officer evidence of the bi odegradability or 31
photodegradability of said balloons in the form of a certificate 32
executed by the manufacturer. Failure to provide said evidence 33
shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this act . 34
(4) Any person may petition the circuit court to e njoin 35
the release of 10 or more balloons if that person is a citizen 36
of the county in which the balloons are to be released. 37
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 38