SB 452 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RELEASE OF LIGHTER-THAN-AIR BALLOONS.

This bill prohibits the intentional release of helium or lighter-than-air balloons into the atmosphere in Connecticut and requires retailers to attach weights to balloons to prevent them from rising. It affects individuals, organizations, and businesses that release balloons, as well as stores that sell them, by making balloon releases into the air illegal infractions. The law also mandates that any balloon sold to consumers must have a weight attached to keep it from floating away. Violations of these rules would result in fines, with the specific penalty amounts determined by court judges. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 6, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reclassified from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Joint Favorable Substitute,' indicating it has passed committee review and is ready for final action. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, prohibiting the release of untethered helium balloons and requiring retailers to tie them down, with an effective date of October 1, 2026. The primary changes involve formatting updates, the addition of a specific legal citation for the repealed statute, and minor text adjustments to subsection labels.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to apply to all persons, organizations, and retailers within the state regarding the sale and release of lighter-than-air balloons.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and header were updated to reflect its new status as a 'Substitute Bill' and 'Joint Favorable Substitute' after committee approval.

A specific legal citation was added to Section 1, explicitly stating that Section 26-25c of the general statutes is repealed and replaced by this new text.

Minor formatting and labeling changes were made, such as renumbering subsections and adjusting bracketed text for clarity.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2026 · House May 5, 2026

How they voted

31–4

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 36

Apr 21, 2026

D Democratic25

24 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican11

7 Yea 4 Nay

63% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 27, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

upper

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Amended

SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. B

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors