Prohibits the release of certain balloons that are lighter than air under certain circumstances. (BDR 15-338)

- 83rd Session (2025)
Assembly Bill No. 194–Assemblymember Jauregui

CHAPTER..........

AN ACT relating to public safety; prohibiting the release of certain
balloons that are lighter than air under certain circumstances;
providing for the imposition of civil penalties; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law prohibits certain acts concerning public safety. (NRS 202.500 -
202.595) Currently, at least 10 other states prohibit the release of certain types of
balloons that are lighter than air under certain circumstances. (Cal. Penal Code §
653.1; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 26 -25c; Del. Code Ann. tit. 16, § 1604; Fla. Stat. §
379.233; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 339-12; Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 2263-A; Md. Code
Ann., Envir. § 9 -2301; R.I. Gen. Laws § 23 -96-1; Tenn. Code Ann. § 68 -101-108;
Va. Code Ann. § 29.1-556.1) This bill: (1) prohibits intentionally releasing,
organizing the release of or intentionally causing the release of a balloon inflated
with a gas that is lighter than air ; (2) provides for the imposition of civil penalties
that may be recovered by the Attorney General or a district or city attorney in a
civil action; and (3) exempts certain balloons from the prohibition such as hot air
balloons, certain balloons used for research and balloons that are released and
remain indoors.

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 202 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. No person shall intentionally release, organize the release
of or intentionally cause the release of a balloon inflated with a
gas that is lighter than air.
2. A person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 is
subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.
3. A civil penalty imposed pursuant to subsection 2 must be
recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General or by
the district attorney or city attorney for the jurisdiction in which
the violation occurred.
4. Any civil penalty collected pursuant to this section by:
(a) The Attorney General must be paid to the State Treasurer
for credit to the State General Fund.
(b) A district attorney or city attorney must be deposited in the
county or city treasury, as applicable.
5. The Attorney General or the district attorney or city
attorney of a county or city, as app licable, in which a person

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- 83rd Session (2025)
releases a balloon in violation of subsection 1 may bring an action
to enjoin the violation.
6. As used in this section, “balloon” means any balloon made
of nonbiodegradable material or biodegradable material that
requires mor e than 5 minutes of contact with air or water to
degrade. The term does not include:
(a) A hot air balloon that is recovered after launching;
(b) A balloon used in a governmental or scientific research
project; or
(c) A balloon that is released and remains indoors.

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