On January 23, 2007, the Environment and Agriculture Committee held its first hearing on House Bill HB 62 a.k.a. “the Balloon Bill”. Representative Kevin Waterhouse, the bill’s primary sponsor, introduced the legislation to the committee and answered some preliminary questions. Next, the four students from the 2005 Inventioneers team each gave testimony on the impact of balloons on the environment and on wildlife. They pointed specifically to the fact that released balloons “first and foremost are litter”. They presented many creative alternatives to releasing balloons for celebrations and memorials. The team members even offered some insight into the comparisons balloon manufacturers and vendors make between balloons and leaves. Those on both sides of the issue agree on this one point at least – balloons degrade at about the same rate as an oak leaf. What most people don’t know is that it can take up to 4 years for an oak leaf to deteriorate. Click here for the Inventioneers’ testimony.

The committee asked the team members for clarification on several issues and expressed interest in the public relations campaign the students are working which includes a brochure, which can be accessed on this site. The only opposition to this bill was from the Fish and Game Division. While they supported the spirit of the legislation, they were concerned over being able to fund enforcement within their department. The end result was that the Environment and Agriculture Committee referred the bill to a subcommittee for review. The representatives applauded the Inventioneers’ initiative and passion about this issue. Many spoke with the team after the hearing to thank them for providing additional facts and research for the committee’s consideration. Several committee members told the team that their testimony was one of the things that persuaded them to support the bill!


                  Subcommittee Proposes Amendment to HB 62

On February 13, 2007, the Environment and Agriculture Subcommittee met at the Legislative Offices in Concord. The subcommittee brought an amendment to HB 62 reducing the number of balloons prohibited from being released from 26 to 1. The emphasis of the amendment was on intent. The committee stressed that released balloons are litter. If littering is prohibited, all litter should be prohibited. The new language of the proposed amendment bans the intentional release of one or more balloons. The Fish and Game Division representative voiced the division’s support of the legislation as amended. The subcommittee voted unanimously to add the amendment to HB 62 and to recommend the bill favorably to the full Environment and Agriculture Committee. Two of the Inventioneers were on hand to observe the subcommittee meeting and were pleased to speak with some of the members after the hearing.