Subcommittee adopts amendment to include intentional balloon releases in littering law; bill reported favorably

The Criminal Law Subcommittee on Wednesday adopted an amendment to include intentionally released, unrecovered balloons in the state littering code and reported House Bill 3047 favorably as amended.

Representative Dennis Moss, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure responds to recurring hazards from balloon debris and noted similar laws in other states and localities. Steve Ward of the South Carolina Forestry Commission said staff encounter balloon debris frequently on agency lands and that growing acreage increases the risk and cleanup burden. Sarah Liles of Palmetto Pride said the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture support the bill and cited cleanup costs and harms to animals and infrastructure in local incidents.

The Johnson amendment, adopted by voice vote, folded intentional, unrecovered balloon releases into the existing litter statute (code 16-11-700.A) while listing exceptions for government or scientific releases, hot-air balloons recovered after launch, indoor releases and releases by persons under age 18. Representative Hart pressed for clarity on enforcement and the meaning of “intentional”; committee members agreed language might need refinement but proceeded with the amendment.

A roll call was ordered on the committee’s favorable report of HB 3047 as amended. The clerk recorded: Chairman Johnson—Aye; Representative Bailey—Aye; Representative Hart—No; Representative Robbins—Aye; Representative Burrows—Aye. The committee reported the bill favorably (4–1).

Next steps: the favorable report will move the bill to the full committee/crossover process per legislative rules.