BATON ROUGE — A new Louisiana law aimed at reducing litter and protecting wildlife will make certain outdoor balloon releases illegal beginning August 1.
House Bill 851, authored by State Representative John Illg, adds intentional balloon releases to Louisiana’s littering laws. The legislation prohibits the intentional release of helium-filled latex and Mylar balloons outdoors, a practice often associated with memorials, celebrations, and special events.
Supporters of the law say released balloons eventually fall back to the ground, where they can harm wildlife, livestock, and sensitive habitats. Animals may mistake balloon fragments for food or become entangled in strings and ribbons. Farmers have also expressed concerns about livestock ingesting balloon debris.
The legislation includes certain exceptions, such as balloons used for scientific or meteorological purposes and hot-air balloons that are recovered after launch.
The measure follows previous attempts to ban balloon releases in Louisiana. A similar bill passed the Legislature in 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry over enforcement concerns. Lawmakers reworked the proposal during the 2026 legislative session, and HB 851 was approved by both the House and Senate before being sent to the governor.
State officials encourage residents to consider environmentally friendly alternatives for memorials and celebrations, such as planting trees, lighting candles, or holding other commemorative events that do not create litter.
