Virginia lawmakers ban release of nonbiodegradable balloons [View all]

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would ban the intentional release of all nonbiodegradable balloons and slap offenders with a civil fine of $25 per balloon.

The legislation was backed by environmentalists and residents who live along the state’s shoreline and regularly complain about litter from foil and latex balloons on beaches and the potential harm to marine animals by ingesting balloon remnants.

The Senate gave its approval to a House bill sponsored by Del. Nancy Guy, D-Virginia Beach, but not before some Republican senators questioned whether it went too far by prohibiting the outdoor release of even a single balloon.

Sen. Bill Stanley said the bill is an example of “trying to control the behavior of every human being” and asked if police would be “hiding around the bouncy house” waiting to nab people who release balloons.

Read more: https://fredericksburg.com/news/state-and-regional/virginia-lawmakers-ban-release-of-nonbiodegradable-balloons/article_056d91f9-2ec4-5d3c-8980-d2208f2f4a47.html
(Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)