September 2009
San Clemente, CA
In a 4-1 vote, City Council Members in San Clemente voted down the proposal to ban the use of balloons at city sponsored events and facilities. Tina Valasquez of San Clemente and TBC were instrumental in educating Council members on the use of Smart Balloon Practices which influenced them to vote down the proposal.

July 2009
San Clemente, CA
City Council Members in San Clemente are considering a proposal to ban the use, sale and display of helium-filled balloons at City facilities or City-Sponsored events. The issue may be scheduled for a vote as early as August 18, 2009. The Balloon Council has offered to work with the city on alternatives including an educational campaign. An editorial from Dan Flynn, TBC Chairman was also submitted to the San Clemente Times.

Lubbock, TX
July 16, 2009
The Lubbock City Council has dropped the proposal to ban the release of 30 or more helium-filled balloons due to lack of majority votes on the Council and public opposition.

May 2009
The NY State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee could review legislation that places penalties on the release of more than 25 balloons during a 24 hour period. The Chairman, Antoine Thompson, of the NY Senate Environmental Conservation Committee needs to hear from you!  Please tell him NOT TO CONSIDER the legislation as it will have a negative impact on the use and enjoyment of balloons as well as hurt balloon-related businesses.
Senator Antione Thompson’s Contact Information:
Email: athompso@senate.state.ny.us
Albany Office
P: 518-455-3371
F: 518-426-6969

Niagara Falls Office
P: 716-284-5789
F:   716-284-5820

AN ACT to amend the  environmental  conservation  law, in relation to prohibiting the release of certain balloons The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1.  Legislative  findings. The legislature finds that release of large quantities of helium-filled balloons result in litter on land and at sea; that sea mammals and other  marine life die upon ingesting deflated balloons; that growing public awareness concerning pollution has had the salutary effect of causing the cancellation of several celebratory and promotional launches of balloons; and that placing statutory limitations on the quantity of  balloons that may be launched will reduce litter and protect the ocean environment, and is in the public interest.
2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding  two  new sections 11-0331 and 71-0929 to read as follows:
                    § 11-0331. Release of certain balloons prohibited.
1. No  business,  firm, corporation or association shall knowingly or intentionally release or cause to be  released at any single outdoor celebration, promotional activity, sporting or other public event within a twenty-four hour period more than twenty-five balloons filled with helium or other substance which causes the balloon to rise or float in the atmosphere. This section shall not apply to:
(a)Balloons  which are used for the purpose of carrying scientific instrumentation during the  performance of an experiment or testing procedure or by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes;
(b) Hot air balloons that are recovered after launching;

October 2008
After months of committee hearings and votes in the Senate and Assembly, SB1499 has been vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who has deemed other bills a higher priority for the State of California. A measure that would have increased fines and imposed new requirements on anyone who sells helium-filled metallic balloons, existing California Balloon Law will remain in tact. As such, the existing law mandates that helium-filled balloons will be affixed to weights, attached to ribbon made of non-conductive material and feature a label warning of the dangers of releasing balloons into the atmosphere. The Balloon Council plans to move forward with a program to promote Smart Balloon Practices in California and elsewhere in an effort to reduce the number of balloon-related incidents. Please visit Savetheballoons.com to read more about The Balloon Council and its efforts on behalf of the balloon industry.
July 2008
On July 15, 2008, the balloon industry has reached an agreeement with Senator Scott (bill author) and his staff on SB 1499 which does not include a ban helium-filled metallic balloons.
 Read on for full details.
May 2008
Senate Bill 1499 passed out of the Senate on May 29, 2008, and moves to the Assembly where it will be assigned by the Rules Committee for hearings. It is thought that SB1499 will be assigned to the Public Safety Committee which is where the bill has it best chance for defeat.
April 2008
Senate Bill 1499 was introduced to the California Public Safety Committee on April 8, 2008. The bill would make it a crime for any person to sell or distribute any balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material, and filled with a gas lighter than air, or any balloon filled with a gas lighter than air that is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, streamer, or other electrically conductive appurtenance, except as specified. The bill was moved out of committee by a 4-0 vote.
October 2007
Burbank City Council discusses proposal to ban the sale of metallic balloons
A question about the City’s ability to regulate metallic or electrically conductive balloons (sometimes referred to as Mylar balloons) in Burbank was raised at the Sept 25, 2007, Council meeting.  This report is for the purpose of Step One in the Council’s “One step – Two step” process.  State law requires that these balloons be weighted and that they carry a warning about the risks of contact with electrical power lines. The Burbank Municipal Code requires a warning sign at all places of sale about the risks of contact with electrical power lines. Balloon industry representatives attended the meeting and have been given the opportunity to recommend alternative solutions to the Council. Passage of such a ban could spread to neighboring cities and reverberate throughout the country.