Bill Banning Balloon Releases Scheduled For Vote Today In Louisiana House

Louisiana lawmakers are considering a bill to ban memorial balloon releases.

House Bill 581 would outlaw balloon releases in the state for people over age 16, imposing fines of increasing amounts for repeat violations.

Supporters say balloons can hit power lines and cause outages. They also pose hazards to wildlife and livestock that may ingest them.

Opponents say the bill would rob grieving families of a popular means of mourning.

The bill heads to a final vote in the House today. If it passes, it will go to the Senate.