Bill > HB2261

This bill modifies Missouri's existing littering law by adding specific provisions related to balloon releases. The bill creates new penalties for intentionally releasing balloons outdoors, with graduated fines based on the number of balloons released. For releases of ten or fewer balloons, first-time offenders would face a fine between $100 and $500, with subsequent offenses resulting in fines between $501 and $1,000. For releases of eleven or more balloons, first-time offenders would face a fine of at least $500, with subsequent offenses resulting in fines of at least $2,000. The law defines a balloon as a flexible, nonporous bag made from materials like rubber or latex that can be inflated with gas or fluid. The bill provides exceptions for unintentional balloon releases and specific scientific or meteorological uses, such as weather balloons or balloons carrying scientific instrumentation. These new provisions are added to the existing littering statute, which previously covered a broad range of materials discarded in public spaces, and maintain the original law's classification of littering as a misdemeanor with potential escalation to more serious charges if the littering creates a substantial risk of physical injury or property damage.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2261&year=2026&code=R