Lawmakers came up with the proposal in an attempt to lessen the number of balloons that float over the water and end up on the state’s beaches. The bill’s Republican author, state representative Linda Chaney, cited backing from both cattle producers and organizations dedicated to ocean protection.
“Our beaches are the greatest asset that Florida has, and not releasing a balloon is an easy way to protect our waterways and our wildlife,” Chaney stated. “A released balloon is damaging and there’s nothing good about it.”
Chaney stated that DeSantis was concerned about the bill’s potential to increase fines for residents of Florida. His office was very worried about the legislation.
According to the news, his administration was especially worried that youngsters could be fined under the statute.
He was balancing the potential for fines—which is not what we really want to do—against the environmental benefits, Chaney told the news.
In the end, the measure was changed to exclude children under the age of six.
“Hundreds of millions of tourists visit Florida each year; neither do Floridians, who don’t want balloon litter in their backyard, at their favorite beach, or floating in local waterways,” Emma Haydocy, a Surfrider Foundation spokesman, told the news.
