Senator Lopes Leads Senate Passage of Bill to Curb Helium Balloon Pollution in Connecticut

Today, state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), Chair of the Environment Committee, led senate passage of a bill that will lessen the negative impact helium balloons have on our environment.  

Senate Bill 452, “An Act Concerning the Release of Lighter-Than-Air Balloons,” takes a comprehensive approach to reducing balloon pollution in Connecticut through both release prohibitions and new retailer requirements.

“Balloons may seem like a harmless decoration but once they’re released into the air, they become litter,” said Sen. Lopes. “That litter that can travel hundreds of miles, end up in our waterways, and harm wildlife that mistakes balloon fragments for food. This legislation takes meaningful, common-sense steps to address that problem while still allowing people to enjoy balloons responsibly.”

• Ban on Balloon Releases
  Starting October 1, 2026, the bill prohibits the knowing release, organization of a release, or intentional release of any helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloon in the state. Under current law, individuals can be issued an infraction for releasing 10 or more balloons within a 24-hour period.
• New Retailer Weight Requirement
  Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill will require any retailer that sells or offers for sale any helium or lighter-than-air gas balloon in the state to attach a weight to the balloon sufficient to prevent it from rising into the atmosphere. Retailers who fail to comply will be subject to a civil penalty of $20 per violation.

Senate Bill 452 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.