2026 -- H 7073 | |
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LC003923 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITED RELEASE OF BALLOONS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Fogarty, Carson, Boylan, Speakman, Tanzi, | |
Date Introduced: January 14, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Sections 23-96-2 and 23-96-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-96 entitled |
2 | "Prohibited Release of Balloons" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 23-96-2. Penalties. |
4 | (a) Any person or entity who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one |
5 | hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense and up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second |
6 | or subsequent offense. |
7 | (b) The department of environmental management, in conjunction with state and local law |
8 | enforcement, shall have jurisdiction and shall coordinate regarding the enforcement of the |
9 | provisions of this chapter. |
10 | 23-96-3. Regulations. |
11 | The department of environmental management (the "department") shall promulgate rules |
12 | and regulations as may be necessary to implement and carry out enforce the provisions of this |
13 | chapter. The department may also pursue grants to create a public information campaign to inform |
14 | the public of the provisions of this chapter and the hazards and damages that may stem from the |
15 | release of balloons in violation of this chapter. |
16 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC003923 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITED RELEASE OF BALLOONS | |
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1 | This act would authorize the department of environmental management ("DEM"), in |
2 | conjunction with state and local law enforcement, to enforce the prohibition on the intentional |
3 | simultaneous release of ten (10) or more balloons. This act would also authorize the DEM to pursue |
4 | grants to create a public information campaign regarding the hazards and damages resulting from |
5 | the release of balloons. |
6 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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