Bill > HB387

This bill addresses the environmental and wildlife concerns associated with releasing balloons into the atmosphere by amending existing litter laws in New Hampshire. The legislation declares the release of 20 or more lighter-than-air balloons as a form of littering, with specific exceptions for scientific or meteorological purposes and hot air balloons that are recovered after launch. Retailers selling balloons will be required to attach a weight and tag informing purchasers about the potential harm to wildlife and the legal consequences of releasing balloons. Violations will result in fines of $250 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. The bill aims to protect wildlife and marine animals from the dangers of balloon ingestion and entanglement, recognizing that released balloons eventually return to the earth's surface and can pose significant risks to animal life. The new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving businesses and consumers time to adapt to the new requirements. Additionally, the law maintains provisions for courts to potentially require offenders to clean up litter and mandates the publication of names of individuals convicted of violating the balloon release prohibition.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=1135&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB387