Sen. Carpenter authors Wisconsin Senate bill to ban large Mylar balloon releases

The new bill authored by State Sen. Tim Carpenter seeks to restrict outdoor releases of multiple Mylar balloons to reduce environmental impact and establish enforcement guidelines, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits the release of 10 or more balloons made from biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, also known as Mylar, filled with lighter-than-air gas into the atmosphere. A violation results in a $500 penalty. The prohibition does not apply to balloons released indoors with authorization, balloons released for scientific or meteorological purposes, or those released by or on behalf of government agencies for such purposes. The bill grants rule-making authority to implement these provisions and specifies enforcement guidelines. Sections of existing statute are amended to accommodate the new restrictions, which take effect upon enactment.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Christine Sinicki (Democrat-20th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District), Senator Jeff Smith (Democrat-31st District), and Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Angelina M. Cruz (Democrat-62nd District), Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democrat-8th District), and Representative Lori A. Palmeri (Democrat-54th District).

Tim Carpenter has authored or co-authored another 64 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Carpenter graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982 with a BA.

Carpenter, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2003 to represent the state’s 3rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Brian Burke.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.