Rep. Dan Ugaste | File Photo
Rep. Dan Ugaste | File Photo
State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) sought a clarification on House Bill 418 filed by State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach).
During the House Energy and Environment Committee session discussing the bill on the EPA on Balloons Release, Ugaste acknowledged the purpose of the bill but followed up with a suggestion with a minor change on the language in the bill.
"It says though, knowingly release or cause to be released or organize a release, by having the word 'cause' in there, are we potentially exposing minor infraction for nothing more than allowing a group of persons who have balloons outside knowing that they may or may not let them go, are we subjecting them to a fine?” he asked. “Wouldn't knowingly or organizing a release be sufficient in the language?"
Yingling responded by assuring Ugaste's suggestion will be taken into consideration.
According to the bill, any person who violated the section discussing the safety rules on the release of balloons “shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each offense. The release of 50 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense.”
The bill has passed out of the committee for a second reading. It will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, if enacted into law.
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