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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB2328 • 2026

Outdoor balloon releases; ban apart from certain exceptions.

AN ACT TO BAN THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF BALLOONS FILLED WITH LIGHTER-THAN-AIR GASES OUTDOORS; TO ALLOW FOR THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF BALLOONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Younger
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included claims about penalties that were not detailed in the official source material, so they are omitted.

Ban on Outdoor Balloon Releases

This bill bans the intentional release of balloons filled with lighter-than-air gases outdoors except for certain exceptions and sets penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

  • Bans people from releasing balloons filled with lighter-than-air gases outside intentionally.
  • Allows governmental agencies to release balloons for scientific or meteorological purposes.
  • Permits the recovery of hot air balloons after launching.
  • Does not apply if the balloon remains indoors.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who want to release balloons outdoors
  • Governmental agencies that need to study the atmosphere

Terms To Know

Lighter-than-air gases
Gases like helium or hydrogen that make objects float in air.
Misdemeanor
A crime less serious than a felony, usually punishable by fines and sometimes jail time.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during the session.
  • It does not specify what happens if someone accidentally releases a balloon.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Outdoor balloon releases; ban apart from certain exceptions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2328 *SS08/R34* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R34
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Younger

SENATE BILL NO. 2328

AN ACT TO BAN THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF BALLOONS FILLED WITH 1
LIGHTER-THAN-AIR GASES OUTDOORS; TO ALLOW FOR THE INTENTIONAL 2
RELEASE OF BALLOONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE 3
PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds that the release of 6
balloons into the atmosphere poses a danger and nuisance to the 7
environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals. 8
(2) For the purpose of this section, the term "balloon" 9
means a sac made from rubber, latex, polychloroprene, nylon, 10
mylar, foil or any other material which is or can be filled with 11
lighter-than-air gases. The term "balloon" includes a floating 12
sky lantern. 13
(3) It is unlawful to intentionally release a balloon 14
outdoors, to organize the release of a balloon outdoors or to 15
intentionally cause a balloon to be released outdoors, except 16
under any of the following circumstances: 17
S. B. No. 2328 *SS08/R34* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R34
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)
ST: Outdoor balloon releases; ban apart from
certain exceptions.
(a) A balloon is released on behalf of a governmental 18
agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or 19
meteorological purposes; 20
(b) A hot air balloon is recovered after launching; or 21
(c) A balloon is released and remains indoors. 22
(4) Any person who violates this section shall, upon 23
conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined an assessment 24
of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per balloon released. 25
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 26
and after July 1, 2026. 27