Maryland

TexasTowelie

(117,358 posts) Thu Nov 28, 2019, 10:10 AM Nov 2019

Senator's Bill Would Ban Balloon Releases

Letting a balloon float away in Maryland would draw in a fine of $250, under a bill sponsored by Sen. Clarence K. Lam. The legislation is similar to a current Queen Anne’s County law.

Lam (D-Baltimore, Howard) said he hopes the bill does two things: reduces the amount of waste that ends up in the environment and raises awareness of the need to properly dispose of balloons.

He said there would be a $250 civil fine for each act of intentionally releasing a balloon, but no one would go to prison for it because it’s not considered a criminal offense.

Lam said the proposed law, unlike in Queen Anne’s County, would not allow biodegradable balloons.

Read more: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/11/27/lams-bill-would-ban-balloon-releases/

4 replies

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Senator's Bill Would Ban Balloon Releases (Original Post) TexasTowelie Nov 2019 OP

Yes! Lulu KC Nov 2019 #1

I understand another issue is the finite supply of helium. Once it's gone, it's gone. yonder Nov 2019 #2

That is what came to my mind also. nt TexasTowelie Nov 2019 #3

At high school where I work as tech assistant, we intentionally release aka-chmeee Nov 2019 #4

Lulu KC

(4,872 posts)

1. Yes!

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Thu Nov 28, 2019, 10:18 AM

Nov 2019

They seem so innocent to those who don't know.
This has made me realize that with streaming, there is no way to have PSAs any more.

yonder

(10,006 posts)

2. I understand another issue is the finite supply of helium. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Thu Nov 28, 2019, 01:41 PM

Nov 2019

TexasTowelie

(117,358 posts)

3. That is what came to my mind also. nt

Reply to yonder (Reply #2)

Thu Nov 28, 2019, 03:52 PM

Nov 2019

aka-chmeee

(1,177 posts)

4. At high school where I work as tech assistant, we intentionally release

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Thu Nov 28, 2019, 05:37 PM

Nov 2019

one, sometimes two high altitude balloons a year.

We've been using Hydrogen gas for several years (costs about 20% of Helium). We track the balloons and retrieve them when they return to earth. We have traveled as far as 200 miles to recover our (latex) balloons and instrument packages.

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