MD Legislator Proposes Balloon Release Ban

Potential MD criminal!

Releasing balloons could cost you a $250 fine in Maryland

While many cities and towns across the United States are banning plastic products such as straws and bags, a new law proposed in Maryland will regulate the intentional release of balloons.

Under a bill sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Howard and Baltimore counties, this new bill would draw a fine of $250; legislation that is similar to a Queen Anne's County law.

The bill, which will be considered during Maryland's next legislative session, will ban the intentional release or the organizing of intentional release of balloons into the atmosphere.

Another scoflaw!
Be sure to hold on!

Lam said he hopes that the bills will do two things: reduce the amount of waste ending up in the environment and will raise the awareness of the need to properly dispose of balloons.

The bill, according to Lam, will, however, have exemptions for both research and meteorological purposes. Additionally, the bill also has an exemption for the negligent or unintentional release of a balloon; which will prevent and protect children who let go of their balloon accidentally from being fined.

At least she's indoors.

"Because released balloons can travel many miles, it is important that the efforts of local jurisdictions to ban balloon releases are supported by a statewide ban," Lam said. "The goal of this ban is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the environment, protect rural farmers and their livestock, and to raise awareness of the need to properly dispose of balloons."

Lam said this is a bipartisan issue and has support from two Republican state senators representing the Eastern Shore.
. . .
 The bill will be considered during the next legislative session, which begins on Jan. 8, 2020. If the bill becomes a law, it will go into effect on Oct.1, 2020.

OK, loose balloons do occasionally cause problems with livestock and marine animals, far more than that other bugaboo, plastic straws. But what I want to know is who will be the "balloon" police?

The Wombat has Rule 5 Tuesday: D.C. Fontana up at the Other McCain.