California Balloon Law: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Balloonsanimals.jpg|right|thumb|California laws regulate the sale of metallized [[BoPET|Mylar]] balloons]] |
[[File:Balloonsanimals.jpg|right|thumb|California laws regulate the sale of metallized [[BoPET|Mylar]] balloons]] |
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In 1990 the California State Legislature passed SB 1990, enacting a '''Balloon Law''' to regulate the sales and use of helium-filled foil balloons. The law was passed in an effort to reduce power outages due to [[Metallised film|metallized]] [[BoPET|Mylar]] or foil balloons. |
In 1990 the California State Legislature passed SB 1990, enacting a '''Balloon Law''' to regulate the sales and use of helium-filled foil balloons. The law was passed in an effort to reduce power outages due to [[Metallised film|metallized]] [[BoPET|Mylar]] or foil balloons. |
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The balloon law prohibits the sale or distribution of a balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material (metallized Mylar or foil) and filled with a gas lighter than air (helium), without affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon to counter the lift capability, affixing a specified warning statement on the balloon, and affixing a printed identification of the |
The balloon law prohibits the sale or distribution of a balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material (metallized Mylar or foil) and filled with a gas lighter than air (helium), without affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon to counter the lift capability, affixing a specified warning statement on the balloon, and affixing a printed identification of the balloon's manufacturer.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} The law also prohibits a person from selling or distributing a balloon filled with a gas lighter than air that is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, streamer, or other electrically conductive appurtenance, or attached to another balloon, as specified.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} |
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Existing law also prohibits a person or group from releasing outdoors balloons made of electrically conductive material ([[balloon release]]) and filled with a gas lighter than air at specified events. A violation of those provisions is an infraction or a misdemeanor, as specified.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} |
Existing law also prohibits a person or group from releasing outdoors balloons made of electrically conductive material ([[balloon release]]) and filled with a gas lighter than air at specified events. A violation of those provisions is an infraction or a misdemeanor, as specified.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} |
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==Senate Bill 1499== |
==Senate Bill 1499== |
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Senate Bill 1499, proposed by Senator Jack Scott to the California State Senate on May 29, 2008, would have banned [[BoPET|foil-lined]] party balloons in California because of the power outages they cause when they snag on power lines.<ref name |
Senate Bill 1499, proposed by Senator Jack Scott to the California State Senate on May 29, 2008, would have banned [[BoPET|foil-lined]] party balloons in California because of the power outages they cause when they snag on power lines.<ref name="save">{{cite web|url=http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=94516|title=Senate bill foils future for local mylar balloon industry|work=The Daily Journal|date=7 July 2008|access-date=2 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716093518/http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=94516|archive-date=2011-07-16|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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According to [[Pacific Gas |
According to the [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]], there are 100{{ndash}}150 power outages each year due to metallic balloons. These power outages affect thousands of customers statewide and are costly to repair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pge.com/about/news/topics/metallicballoons.shtml|title=Hang On to Your Metallic Balloons|publisher=Pacific Gas and Electric|access-date=2 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221152609/http://pge.com/about/news/topics/metallicballoons.shtml|archive-date=2010-12-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> A study in 2007 indicated that Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Burbank Water and Power experienced hundreds of balloon-related power outages that cost businesses $120 million annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/archive/2718/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911052127/http://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/archive/2718/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2012|title=Grave golfing irks volunteers|work=The Manteca Bulletin|last=Albano-Risso|first=Rose|date=1 April 2009|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> |
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Opponents to SB 1499 included florists, special-event planners, and small businesses, who said the bill could cost them $100 million, which could translate to loss of as much as $80 million in tax revenues for the state.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
Opponents to SB 1499 included florists, special-event planners, and small businesses, who said the bill could cost them $100 million, which could translate to loss of as much as $80 million in tax revenues for the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-02-oe-adishian2-story.html|title=What's helium-filled, foil – and harmless?|work= LA Times Opinion|last= Adishian|first=Terri|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date= 2 June 2008|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> Many of these companies started a [[grassroots]] campaign called “Save Our Balloons”.<ref name = "save" /> |
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Due to strong opposition by numerous groups, this bill was amended to require notification of potential power outages on all balloon weights and directs the University of California to work with the Public Utilities Commission to identify a cost-effective, consumer-friendly substitute for metallic balloons. The bill was originally intended to go into effect in 2010, but the version passed by the California senate would have gone into effect in January 2011.<ref name = "save" /> The bill was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1499_vt_20080928.html|title=Veto letter from governor to senate related to SB1499|last=Schwarzenegger|first=Arnold|publisher=California|date=28 Sep 2008| |
Due to strong opposition by numerous groups, this bill was amended to require notification of potential power outages on all balloon weights and directs the University of California to work with the Public Utilities Commission to identify a cost-effective, consumer-friendly substitute for metallic balloons. The bill was originally intended to go into effect in 2010, but the version passed by the California senate would have gone into effect in January 2011.<ref name = "save" /> The bill was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1499_vt_20080928.html|title=Veto letter from governor to senate related to SB1499|last=Schwarzenegger|first=Arnold|publisher=California|date=28 Sep 2008|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> The California Balloon Law has remained the same since 1990. |
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==Assembly Bill 2450== |
==Assembly Bill 2450== |
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On February 14, 2018, Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) introduced AB 2450, which would "require manufacturers of metallic balloons print a permanent warning directly on the balloon which would warn consumers of the dangers of allowing a balloon to come into contact with powerlines." |
On February 14, 2018, Assemblymember [[Bill Quirk]] (D-Hayward) introduced AB 2450, which would "require manufacturers of metallic balloons print a permanent warning directly on the balloon which would warn consumers of the dangers of allowing a balloon to come into contact with powerlines."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://a20.asmdc.org/press-releases/20180214-reducing-power-outages-caused-metallic-balloons-focus-bill-introduced-today|title=AB 2450 Press Release|last=|first=|date=February 14, 2018|website=a20.asmdc.org|access-date=|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213141450/https://a20.asmdc.org/press-releases/20180214-reducing-power-outages-caused-metallic-balloons-focus-bill-introduced-today|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* PG&E Power Outage [ |
* PG&E Power Outage [https://web.archive.org/web/20101221152609/http://pge.com/about/news/topics/metallicballoons.shtml Stats] |
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* [ |
* [http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1499_cfa_20080623_103650_asm_comm.html Text of SB 1499] |
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* [https://votesmart.org/bill/7065/19649/foil-balloon-ban#.WQ5jjIFlDYU Voting record of SB 1499] |
* [https://votesmart.org/bill/7065/19649/foil-balloon-ban#.WQ5jjIFlDYU Voting record of SB 1499] |
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[[Category:California statutes|Balloon Law, California]] |
[[Category:California statutes|Balloon Law, California]] |
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[[Category:1990 in law]] |
[[Category:1990 in American law]] |
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[[Category:2009 in American law]] |
[[Category:2009 in American law]] |
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[[Category:1990 in California]] |
[[Category:1990 in California]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:00, 23 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2011) |
In 1990 the California State Legislature passed SB 1990, enacting a Balloon Law to regulate the sales and use of helium-filled foil balloons. The law was passed in an effort to reduce power outages due to metallized Mylar or foil balloons.
The balloon law prohibits the sale or distribution of a balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material (metallized Mylar or foil) and filled with a gas lighter than air (helium), without affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon to counter the lift capability, affixing a specified warning statement on the balloon, and affixing a printed identification of the balloon's manufacturer.[citation needed] The law also prohibits a person from selling or distributing a balloon filled with a gas lighter than air that is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, streamer, or other electrically conductive appurtenance, or attached to another balloon, as specified.[citation needed]
Existing law also prohibits a person or group from releasing outdoors balloons made of electrically conductive material (balloon release) and filled with a gas lighter than air at specified events. A violation of those provisions is an infraction or a misdemeanor, as specified.[citation needed]
To be in accordance with the California Balloon Law and reduce electrical power outages, all retail shops that sell balloons should follow the guidelines below:
- Weight all helium-filled foil balloons
- Tie all ribbons to the weight so if they are released they will float away individually. Do not tie ribbons together before attaching to weight. Tie them to the weight with one knot each.
- Do not use metallic ribbon with helium-filled balloons
Although the law was put into effect in 1990, the issue of foil balloons being a hazard resurfaced in 2008. A senate bill was proposed to ban the sale of all foil balloons by the year 2010 due to the increased number of power outages.[citation needed] The bill was California Senate Bill 1499.
Senate Bill 1499
[edit]Senate Bill 1499, proposed by Senator Jack Scott to the California State Senate on May 29, 2008, would have banned foil-lined party balloons in California because of the power outages they cause when they snag on power lines.[1]
According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, there are 100–150 power outages each year due to metallic balloons. These power outages affect thousands of customers statewide and are costly to repair.[2] A study in 2007 indicated that Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Burbank Water and Power experienced hundreds of balloon-related power outages that cost businesses $120 million annually.[3]
Opponents to SB 1499 included florists, special-event planners, and small businesses, who said the bill could cost them $100 million, which could translate to loss of as much as $80 million in tax revenues for the state.[4] Many of these companies started a grassroots campaign called “Save Our Balloons”.[1]
Due to strong opposition by numerous groups, this bill was amended to require notification of potential power outages on all balloon weights and directs the University of California to work with the Public Utilities Commission to identify a cost-effective, consumer-friendly substitute for metallic balloons. The bill was originally intended to go into effect in 2010, but the version passed by the California senate would have gone into effect in January 2011.[1] The bill was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2008.[5] The California Balloon Law has remained the same since 1990.
Assembly Bill 2450
[edit]On February 14, 2018, Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) introduced AB 2450, which would "require manufacturers of metallic balloons print a permanent warning directly on the balloon which would warn consumers of the dangers of allowing a balloon to come into contact with powerlines."[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Senate bill foils future for local mylar balloon industry". The Daily Journal. 7 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ "Hang On to Your Metallic Balloons". Pacific Gas and Electric. Archived from the original on 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ Albano-Risso, Rose (1 April 2009). "Grave golfing irks volunteers". The Manteca Bulletin. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ Adishian, Terri (2 June 2008). "What's helium-filled, foil – and harmless?". LA Times Opinion. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ Schwarzenegger, Arnold (28 Sep 2008). "Veto letter from governor to senate related to SB1499". California. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ "AB 2450 Press Release". a20.asmdc.org. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020.
External links
[edit]- PG&E Power Outage Stats
- Text of SB 1499
- Voting record of SB 1499