***UPDATE:Unfortunately, this did not make it past the Appropriations Committee***
*CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS*
Write to your Assembly Member and show your support for AB 2709!
Find your representative by clicking here. * Learn the facts here. * Use this letter or write your own explaining your own experiences!
To our California friends,
There is a new balloon law being considered in California. Introduced by Assembly Member Bill Quirk, AB 2709 will prohibit the sale & distribution of Helium filled mylar/foil balloons.
California’s current balloon law was enacted more than two decades ago. Time has proven the law – which prohibits the release of these metallic balloons – requiring a warning on the balloons & requires distributors to affix a weight – has been ineffective at preventing serious & expensive power outages. In fact balloon caused power outages have been increasing annually, along with balloon pollution & balloon related animal deaths. These metallic balloons caused over 1,800 power outages last year – disrupting businesses, healthcare facilities, traffic signals, & putting the public at risk. Mylar/foil balloons are already being replaced by plastic balloons & there are a variety of alternatives to replace balloons.
Please be vocal in supporting this bill, writing to your Assembly Members. You may also want to include your State Senator & Governor Brown, urging them to help prevent this destructive & deadly product from being sent aloft to wreak havoc. The only certain way to prevent these electrically conducive devices from getting loose is to stop filling them with Helium. It is a simple step that will also help reduce this major blight on California’s beautiful landscape, conserve Helium, & protect wildlife.
The multi-billion dollar balloon industry is fighting this bill. Their powerful lobby ‘The Balloon Council’ is using deceptive practices to get the public to support their efforts to prevent this from becoming law. Their campaign, called “Save Our Balloons” is a disgrace as they con people into helping them profit off their dangerous, ugly, & deadly pollution.
Kids know balloons blow & are eager to choose alternatives. They are quick to understand – the only way to keep them down is to quit filling them with Helium.
Supporting Documents:
Draft Individual Support of AB 2709
Brief History of Metallic Balloon Public Safety Risks
CMUA Metallic Balloons Facts at a Glance
This is fantastic news! Some day we’ll see all states ban mass releases and helium balloons. Thank you for all you do to spread the word that balloons blow and are ugly, deadly litter.