Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB851: ENVIRONMENT/LITTERING: Provides relative to intentional littering
Status: Chaptered, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act To amend and reenact R.S. 30:2531(A)(4) and to enact R.S. 30:2531(A)(5), relative to littering; to prevent the intentional release of balloons; to provide for exceptions and penalties; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 30:2531(A)(4) and to enact R.S. 30:2531(A)(5), relative to littering; to prevent the intentional release of balloons; to provide for exceptions and penalties; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 30:2531(A)(4) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 30:2531(A)(5) is hereby enacted to read as follows: §2531. Intentional littering prohibited; criminal penalties; simple littering prohibited; civil penalties; special court costs A. Intentional littering. * * * (4) Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection by intentionally releasing a balloon or by organizing an event that includes a planned, intentional release of twelve or more balloons is subject to the penalties provided in Subparagraph (A)(2) of this Subsection. (a) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to the following: (i) Persons under the age of seventeen. (ii) The negligent or unintentional release of a balloon. (iii) The release of a balloon indoors. Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-1146 ORIGINAL HB NO. (iv) The release of a balloon made of biodegradable or photobiodegradable material. (v) The release of a balloon for scientific or meteorological purposes by or on behalf of a governmental agency, under a governmental contract, or by an educational …
Sponsors
- Illg Jr., John (R, 78) · primary sponsor
- Bayham Jr., Michael (R, 103)
- Coates, Kimberly (R, 73)
- Cox III, Vincent (R, 85)
- Deshotel, Daryl (R, 28)
- DeWitt, Jason (R, 25)
- Dickerson, Kellee (R, 64)
- Domangue, Jessica (R, 53)
- Freiberg, Barbara (R, 70)
- Geymann, Brett (R, 35)
- Green Jr., Kyle (D, 83)
- Henry, Dana (D, 100)
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- : Becomes Act No. 196 without the Governor's signature.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Received from the Senate without amendments.
- : Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
- : Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- : Reported favorably.
Votes
- Senate Vote on HB 851, FINAL PASSAGE (#569) (May 5, 2026): 32 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 851, FINAL PASSAGE (#241) (March 31, 2026): 88 yea, 6 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB851?
- HB851 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): ENVIRONMENT/LITTERING: Provides relative to intentional littering.
- What does HB851 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 30:2531(A)(4) and to enact R.S. 30:2531(A)(5), relative to littering; to prevent the intentional release of balloons; to provide for exceptions and penalties; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB851?
- Chaptered as of May 15, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (May 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB851?
- Illg Jr., John (R, 78), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB851?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB851
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.