HB 1904 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the release of a balloon and associated littering; creating a criminal offense.

HB 1904 makes it a crime to intentionally release balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gas (like helium) outside a roofed structure. It directly affects individuals who release such balloons, with penalties ranging from a minor offense (Class C misdemeanor) for releasing five pounds or less of deflated balloons to a more serious offense (Class A misdemeanor) for 500 pounds or more. Exceptions include scientific balloons released by government agencies and recovered hot air balloons. The law aims to address balloon litter by defining "balloon" and setting clear weight/volume thresholds for criminal penalties.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 8, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to define 'balloon' more narrowly (requiring Mylar material) and clarifies the definition of 'litter' to explicitly include balloons. The criminal penalties for releasing balloons are reorganized into four tiers (Class C misdemeanor through state jail felony) based on weight and volume thresholds, with commercial releases treated as more serious offenses. Community service requirements are expanded to include working at recycling facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on balloon release offenses, but the definition of 'balloon' is narrowed to require Mylar material, potentially excluding latex balloons from the statute's coverage.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'balloon' was changed from including rubber, latex, Mylar, or similar inflatable material to specifically requiring Mylar material.

The definition of 'litter' was updated to explicitly include balloons in the list of combustible waste materials.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalty tiers were reorganized into four categories (Class C misdemeanor, Class B misdemeanor, Class A misdemeanor, and state jail felony) with specific weight and volume thresholds for each.

Commercial balloon releases are now treated as more serious offenses, with higher weight and volume thresholds for Class A misdemeanor and state jail felony penalties.

REQUIREMENT

Community service requirements were expanded to allow defendants to work at recycling facilities if available in their community.

TIMELINE

The bill includes a specific effective date of September 1, 2025.

Floor votes · House May 8, 2025

How they voted

98–42

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 144

May 8, 2025

D Democratic59

53 Yea 5 Nay 1

89% Yea

R Republican85

45 Yea 37 Nay 3

52% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

May 23, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to committee

upper

May 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice

upper

May 21, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

May 9, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed as amended

lower

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 8, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (98-42-4)

house

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

May 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Environmental Regulation

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors