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Senate committee backs ban on mass balloon releases, exempts licensed ham-radio launches
Summary
The Louisiana Senate Committee on Environmental Quality reported House Bill 581 favorably with amendments after lawmakers and witnesses said mass balloon releases create litter, harm wildlife and can cause infrastructure problems; the committee adopted an amendment exempting licensed amateur-radio balloon launches used for education or tracking.
Baton Rouge, La. — The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on June 3 reported House Bill 581 favorably with amendments after members heard hours of testimony about litter and harm to wildlife from mass outdoor balloon releases.
Representative Joshua Ilg, sponsor of HB 581, told the committee the measure targets mass balloon releases that contribute to litter and damage to wildlife and infrastructure. Ilg said the releases “have long lasting consequences for the environment, wildlife, and landscape of our state” and cited power outages in New Orleans as an example of downstream impacts mentioned in testimony.
The bill as amended makes an explicit exemption for balloons released as part of educational programs when the balloon carries a radio tracking device and the operator holds a valid amateur radio license. Senator Price offered the amendment, and the committee adopted it without recorded opposition.
Witnesses who spoke in favor included Jared Daigle of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, who said livestock sometimes ingest balloon material, and Mark Pesky, treasurer of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, who said conservation groups have supported this kind of restriction for years. Pesky stated the amendment addressed concerns from ham radio operators.
Houston Polson, section manager for the Louisiana chapter of the American Radio Relay League, described the educational use his group supports and the technical differences between a classroom launch and a mass celebratory release. “STEM is a very important part,” Polson said, explaining that school and research launches often include GPS transmitters and cost roughly $400 to outfit with a high-altitude balloon, hydrogen and tracking equipment.
Senator Connick and other members asked about enforcement and who would be cited for a mass release. Representative Ilg said the measure imposes civil penalties on the person or entity releasing the balloons and compared enforcement to other civil infractions, noting that people sometimes videotape releases.
Committee members also noted written submissions in support were made part of the record, including statements from the lieutenant governor and organizations such as the Sierra Club Delta Chapter, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Louisiana Farm Bureau and others.
At the close of the item, Senator Myers moved to report HB 581 favorably as amended; the chair announced no opposition and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee made emails in favor part of the record.
