Bill Sponsors
Donovan, Fogarty, Carson, Boylan, Speakman, Tanzi, Potter, Furtado, Kislak, and Casimiro
Committee
House Environment and Natural Resources
Summary
Select
This legislation amends existing Rhode Island law regarding the prohibited release of balloons. It specifically establishes a system of civil penalties for violations: a fine of $100 for a first offense and up to $250 for subsequent offenses. The bill designates the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), working with state and local law enforcement, as the authority responsible for enforcing these rules. Furthermore, it directs the DEM to create regulations for enforcement and authorizes the department to seek grant funding for public education campaigns regarding the environmental hazards associated with balloon releases.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Strengthens environmental protections by establishing clear financial penalties for balloon releases, which helps reduce litter and protects local wildlife and marine ecosystems from plastic pollution.
- Empowers the Department of Environmental Management to seek grant funding for public education, prioritizing community awareness and prevention regarding environmental hazards.
- Clarifies enforcement jurisdiction, ensuring that environmental regulations are actively monitored by the appropriate state agency rather than being ignored or unenforced.
Cons for Progressives
- Imposes flat monetary fines that disproportionately penalize low-income individuals, for whom a $100 or $250 fee creates a much more significant financial burden than for wealthier residents.
- Involves state and local law enforcement in non-violent civil infractions, potentially increasing unnecessary interactions between police and marginalized communities over minor offenses.
- Focuses legislative energy and resources on individual behavior regarding balloons rather than addressing larger-scale industrial pollution or corporate environmental crimes that cause significantly more damage.
Pros for Conservatives
- Preserves the aesthetic beauty and cleanliness of the state's public spaces and coastline, which protects property values and supports the tourism industry.
- Establishes clear, codified consequences for violating the law, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that existing statutes are effectively enforced rather than ignored.
- Encourages the use of outside grants rather than direct tax increases to fund public information campaigns, minimizing the immediate financial burden on the taxpayer.
Cons for Conservatives
- Expands the size and scope of government by granting the Department of Environmental Management more regulatory power and enforcement authority over the daily activities of private citizens.
- Infringes on personal freedom and private celebrations by penalizing individuals for a harmless activity like releasing a balloon at a party, wedding, or memorial.
- Creates a revenue-generating mechanism for the state through fines, which can be viewed as a hidden tax on citizens for trivial conduct.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- General Public
- Department of Environmental Management
- Law Enforcement
- Event Planners
- Party Supply Stores
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
$100/1st offense, $250/2nd offense
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/14/2026 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Sections 23-96-2 and 23-96-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-96 entitled "Prohibited Release of Balloons" are hereby amended to read as follows:
23-96-2. Penalties.
(a) Any person or entity who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense and up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second or subsequent offense.
(b) The department of environmental management, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, shall have jurisdiction and shall coordinate regarding the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
23-96-3. Regulations.
The department of environmental management (the "department") shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement andcarry out enforce the provisions of this chapter. The department may also pursue grants to create a public information campaign to inform the public of the provisions of this chapter and the hazards and damages that may stem from the release of balloons in violation of this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
23-96-2. Penalties.
(a) Any person or entity who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense and up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second or subsequent offense.
(b) The department of environmental management, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, shall have jurisdiction and shall coordinate regarding the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
23-96-3. Regulations.
The department of environmental management (the "department") shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement and
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.