Bill Text: VA HB2159 | 2021 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Balloons; release of nonbiodegradable balloons outdoors prohibited, civil penalty.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-05 - Continued to 2021 Sp. Sess. 1 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 0-N) [HB2159 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HB2159-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §29.1-556.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§29.1-556.1. Release of certain balloons prohibited; civil penalty; community service.
A. It shall be is unlawful for any individual
[ 13 16 ] years of age or older or other person to
knowingly intentionally release, discard, or cause to be
released into the atmosphere within a one-hour period fifty or more balloons
which are (i) or discarded outdoors any balloon made of a
nonbiodegradable or nonphotodegradable material or any material which
that requires more than five minutes' contact with air or water to degrade
and (ii) inflated with a substance which is lighter than air. Any person
who violates convicted of a violation of this section shall be
is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five dollars of $25
per balloon released above the allowable limit or discarded,
which shall be paid into the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Endowment
Game Protection Fund established pursuant to § 29.1-101.1
29.1-101 [ If an individual under the age of 16 releases a balloon by
arrangement with or at the instruction of an adult, the adult shall be liable
for the civil penalty assessed ] .
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
(i) balloons balloon released (a) by or on behalf of any
agency of the Commonwealth, or the United States or (b) pursuant
to a contract with the Commonwealth, the United States, or any other state,
territory, or government for scientific or meteorological purposes or
(ii) hot air balloons balloon that are is recovered
after launch.
