Across the River
STATE LAW PROHIBITS BALLOON RELEASES: A few days ago, I saw that a family group had a balloon release on the death anniversary of a loved one. Perhaps some of us still don’t know, but under Louisiana’s Act 196, it is illegal to intentionally release 12 or more helium-filled Mylar or latex balloons outdoors. The new law took effect August 1, 2026, and treats outdoor mass balloon releases as intentional littering to prevent harm to wildlife, reduce environmental waste and stop power outages caused by those balloons striking electrical lines. For the first offense the penalty is a $500 fine and 8 hours of community service. Fines can increase up to $2,500 for repeat offenders and the risk of losing their driver’s license. Exemptions to the law include anyone under the age of 17, biodegradable balloons, scientific, meteorological, or weather balloons and indoor or accidental balloon releases. Please let others know that balloon releases are now against the law.
