Apr 8, 2008 2:46 pm US/Pacific
State Bill Proposes Ban On Metallic Balloons
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
California would become the first state to ban helium-filled metallic balloons under a bill unanimously advanced Tuesday by a legislative committee.
Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena, said the party balloons frequently break free and float into power lines, where they can cause electric wires to arc.
He said they cause millions of dollars in losses for utility companies and businesses that lose electricity. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the main utility in Northern California, says the balloons caused more than 200 power outages last year in its coverage area.
California law requires the balloons to be sold with weights to hold them down. But Scott said those weights are often candies or action figures designed to be removed by children.
Scott's office and Barry Broad, a lobbyist for The Balloon Council, say California would be the first state to ban the balloons. Broad objects to what he calls a "wacky" attempt to criminalize a party toy.
The bill, which cleared the Senate Public Safety Committee, sets a $100 fine for selling the helium-filled balloons starting in 2010. Repeat offenders could be charged with misdemeanors.
Metallic balloons are considered more dangerous to power lines than nonmetallic balloons because they conduct electricity. They still could be sold in California, but not if they contain a gas that could make them float high enough to reach power lines.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
