File #: Int 0913-2024    Version: * Name: Requiring that balloons made with electrically conductive material and filled with gas lighter than air be weighted and include warning labels.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
On agenda: 5/23/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that balloons made with electrically conductive material and filled with gas lighter than air be weighted and include warning labels
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Justin L. Brannan
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require that any retailer that sells balloons constructed using metallic materials to attach a label to each balloon with a warning about the dangers of metallic balloons colliding with power lines and the retailer’s identifying information. Retailers would also be required to attach weights to any balloon filled with gas lighter than air. Any retailer that violates this law would be subject to a civil penalty of at least $100 for each balloon sold or offered for sale in violation, with a maximum total daily penalty of $2,000.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 913, 2. Int. No. 913, 3. May 23, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-23-24

Int. No. 913

 

By Council Members Holden and Brannan

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that balloons made with electrically conductive material and filled with gas lighter than air be weighted and include warning labels

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 4 of title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subchapter 15 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER 15

TOYS AND AMUSEMENTS

§ 20-699.12 Balloon weights and warnings required. a. Any retailer who sells or offers for sale balloons made of electrically conductive material or accessorized with electrically conductive material shall attach to each such balloon:

1. A label warning the consumer about the risk of fire and electrical outages if the balloon touches an electrical power line. Such statement shall be printed in a legible font size, as specified by the commissioner by rule, and attached to the body of the balloon;

2. A label with the identity of the retailer to each balloon; and

3. If the balloon is filled with a gas lighter than air, an object of sufficient weight to prevent the balloon from floating away.

b. Any retailer who sells or offers for sale a balloon in violation of subdivision a of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100 for each such balloon, except that total penalties assessed against such a retailer shall not exceed $2,000 per day.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

Session 13

LS # 10583

1/16/2024

 

Session 12

ARP

LS # 10583

1/10/2023