Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill banning balloon releases in the state.
The new law, Act 196, amends the state's simple littering law to include the intentional release of 12 or more balloons during an outdoor event. The law does not apply to balloons released indoors or made of "biodegradable or photobiodegradable 2 material."
Effective August 1, anyone who is caught intentionally releasing 12 or balloons during an outdoors event will face penalties under the state's littering laws. Those penalties include a $500 fine and eight hours of community service for a first offense, a $900 fine and 20 hours of litter abatement for a second offense, and a $2,500 fine, 80 hours of litter abatement, and a one-year driver's license suspension for a third offense.
Supporters of the bill cited environmental concerns created by Mylar and latex balloons once they pop and fall to the ground. Supporters also pointed to the power outages caused by Mylar balloons released in New Orleans over the last couple of years.
The law, written by Jon Illg, Jr. (R-Harahan), includes some exemptions. Hot air balloons, weather balloons, and balloons attached to a radio-tracking device and controlled by a licensed amateur radio operator are still allowed under Act 196. In addition, children under the age of 17 and the "negligent or unintentionally release of a balloon" outdoors may not be prosecuted under this bill.
The Louisiana Legislature passed a similar bill last year, but Governor Landry vetoed it.
The city of New Orleans approved its own Mylar balloon ban in 2024.
Law contains some exceptions
Law contains some exceptions
