Legislation May Burst Balloons at New York Celebrations

Celebrating weddings or sports wins may not involve the release of dozens of colorful balloons in the future under a bill poised to move in the upcoming New York State legislative session.

The measure would prohibit the release of 25 or more helium balloons into the sky over a 24 hour period. 

Long Island Democrat Steve Englebright, who heads the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee introduced the measure in February.  It was recently picked up by Westchester Senator, Democrat Alessandra Biaggi for the upcoming session that begins in January.

Supporters say the balloons are an environmental threat.

The proposal does not carry any monetary penalty, unlike a proposal by Manhattan Democrat, Senator Brian Kavanaugh who introduced an earlier bill last January that carried a fine starting at $10 per balloon up to a maximum of $50,000.