May 4, 2016 will make or break the balloon industry and I need you to take action, otherwise it will become a crime to sell foil balloons in California.
UPDATE: The California balloon ban bill, AB 2709 has been postponed so that it can be studied for its fiscal impact on the state. The Assembly Appropriations Committee meeting that was supposed to be on Wednesday, May 4 will now happen at a to-be-determined date at the end of May.
WE STILL NEED ACTION! While we’ve successfully brought the impact of the bill to the attention of the committee, it’s just a small battle won in the war against the California balloon ban. PLEASE CONTINUE to reach out to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Why should you care about the California balloon ban?
I’m reaching out to you to urge you to help us and hundreds of businesses like us take action against California Assembly Bill 2709. This bill aims to not only put a state-wide ban on foil helium balloons, but also to make it a crime to have or sell them—a drastic and unnecessary action that threatens the livelihood of tens of thousands of people.
I don’t live or do business in California, why should I care?
This bill may not directly affect you right now, true. However, it may affect your business indirectly, as suppliers, manufacturers, and other businesses you may work with are affected. But most importantly, the passing of this bill threatens to set a precedent for other states that you DO do business in to follow suit, and that WILL affect all of us eventually. That is why it’s so important to take action now.
California balloon ban: Assembly Bill 2709
I will include a full abstract of this bill at the bottom of this article for those interested, but here are the basics:
• Selling or distributing balloons made of, or attached to, electrically conductive materials would be punishable as follows:
– FIRST OFFENSE: A fine of up to $250.
– SECOND OFFENSE: Charged with a misdemeanor (for selling a balloon!)
Impact of AB 2709
Obviously, the impact of the California balloon ban on both the state AND national levels within the balloon, party, and gas industries will be catastrophic if the bill passes. Although the bill applies only to California, the ripple effect will be crippling for companies around the country. Some quick facts:
• 55-60 MILLION foil balloons are sold in California annually, resulting in $250 million in direct sales.
• $1.1 BILLION in indirect sales of products sold with balloons are at risk. This means sellers of helium, equipment, ribbons, weights, flowers, plants, party supplies, stuffed animals, etc, and others in licensing, event and party planning, manufacturers, and retailers are now all in jeopardy.
• California stands to lose $100,000,000 in sales tax plus $110,000,000 in income tax, annually.
The fact is, California already has a sufficient law in place that regulates balloons and balloon sales. AB 2709 is unnecessary and reckless.
How to take action against the California balloon ban
I am respectfully asking you to speak out against AB 2709 TODAY, citing the economic and financial implications it holds for businesses state- and nation-wide. Please let them know that if foil balloons are banned this will impact your helium sales and harm your business.
2. Customize one of these pre-formatted letters, which will be faxed to the committee members.
3. Contact state officials and request a meeting or conversation. (I’ve included a complete list of assembly members and their contact information at the bottom of this page.)
We have very little time. The assembly has been moved up to May 4 in an attempt to avoid organized industry backlash. Please share this page right now with fellow business owners, activists, and industry organizations that you may have in your network. Together, let’s make a difference and fight for our businesses. Say “NO!” to the California Balloon Ban.
Thank you for your time and action,
Kathi Leiden
President, Zephyr Solutions
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CALIFORNIA BALLOON BAN ASSEMBLY BILL 2709
Existing law makes it a crime to sell or distribute any balloon constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air without affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon or its appurtenance to counter the lift capability of the balloon, affixing a statement warning the consumer about the risk if the balloon comes in contact with power lines, and a printed identification of the manufacturer of the balloon. Existing law further prohibits selling or distributing 2 or more balloons that are constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air and attached to each other. Existing law additionally prohibits any person or group from releasing, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air as part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or product advertisement. Existing law makes a first and 2nd violation of these provisions punishable by a fine not to exceed $100, and a 3rd or subsequent violation punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill would, on January 1, 2018, remove these prohibitions and instead make it a crime to sell or distribute any balloon constructed of electrically conductive material or any balloon that is attached to an electrically conductive material. The bill would make a first violation of this provision punishable by a fine not to exceed $250, and a 2nd or further violation punishable as a misdemeanor. The bill would additionally, on January 1, 2018, make it a crime to release, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material, regardless of whether the outdoor release is part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or product advertisement, and would make the crime punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. The bill would exempt specified balloons from these provisions, including balloons that are not designed to be buoyant in ambient air when filled with any gas.
The bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
LIST OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS BY DISTRICT – PLEASE REACH OUT IN OPPOSITION OF PROPOSED CALIFORNIA BALLOON BAN AB 2709!
DISTRICT 80
Lorena S. Gonzalez (Chair)
Contact Assembly Member Lorena S. Gonzalez
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2114, Sacramento, CA CA 94249-0080; (916) 319-2080
District Office:
1350 Front Street
Suite 6022
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: 619-338-8090
Fax: 619-338-8099
91902,91909,91910,91911,91912,91913,91917,91932,91947,91950,91951,92101,92102,92104,92105,
92113,92114,92115,92118,92134,92136,92139,92143,92149,92153,92154,92158,92165,92170,92173,
92179
DISTRICT 5
Frank Bigelow (Vice Chair)
Contact Assembly Member Frank Bigelow
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 6027, Sacramento, CA 94249-0005; (916) 319-2005
MADERA DISTRICT OFFICE
730 North I Street, Suite #102
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 673-0501
(559) 673-0503 fax
PLACERVILLE DISTRICT OFFICE
2441 Headington Road
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-5505
(530) 295-1905 fax
JACKSON DISTRICT OFFICE
33 Broadway, Suite #C
Jackson, CA 95642
(209) 223-0505
(209) 762-8262 fax
93512, 93513, 93514, 93517, 93529, 93541, 93546, 93601, 93602, 93604, 93610, 93614, 93620, 93622, 93623, 93626, 93628, 93630, 93636, 93637, 93638, 93639, 93640, 93643, 93644, 93645, 93653, 93664,
93669, 93711, 93720, 93722, 93723, 93730, 95221, 95222, 95223, 95224, 95225, 95226, 95228, 95229,
95230, 95232, 95233, 95236, 95240, 95245, 95246, 95247, 95248, 95249, 95251, 95252, 95254, 95255
95257, 95305, 95306, 95309, 95310, 95311, 95317, 95318, 95321, 95325, 95327, 95329, 95333, 95335,
95338, 95340, 95345, 95346, 95347, 95361, 95364, 95369, 95370, 95372, 95373, 95375, 95379, 95383,
95389, 95601, 95603, 95604, 95613, 95614, 95619, 95623, 95629, 95631, 95632, 95633, 95634, 95635,
95636, 95638, 95640, 95642, 95644, 95646, 95651, 95654, 95656, 95658, 95663, 95664, 95665, 95666,
95667, 95669, 95672, 95675, 95682, 95683, 95684, 95685, 95689, 95699, 95709, 95713, 95720, 95721,
95726, 95735, 95762, 96107, 96120, 96133, 96142, 96150,96151, 96152, 96154, 96155, 96156, 96158
96161
DISTRICT 50
Contact Assembly Member Richard Bloom
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2003, Sacramento, CA 94249-0050; (916) 319-2050
District Office:
2800 28th Street, Suite 105
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Tel: (310) 450-0041
Fax: (310) 450-6090
90004, 90005,90010,90019,90020,90024,90025,90028,90035,90036,90038,90046,90048,90049,90064,
90066,90067,90068,90069,90077,90078,90093,90209,90210,90211,90212,90213,90263,90264,90265,
90272,90290,90291,90401,90402,90403,90404,90405,90406,90407,90408,90409,90410,90411,91301,
91302,91307,91316,91356,91361,91362,91364,91376,91377,91403,91423,91436,91604
DISTRICT 14
Contact Assembly Member Susan A. Bonilla
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 4140, Sacramento, CA 94249-0014; (916) 319-2014
District Office:
2151 Salvio Street
Suite 395
Concord, CA 94520
Tel: (925) 521-1511
Fax: (925) 602-1536
94503,94505,94506,94507,94509,94510,94513,94514,94517,94518,94519,94520,94521,94522,94523,
94524,94525,94527,94529,94534,94547,94549,94551,94553,94559,94563,94564,94565,94568,94569,
94572,94582,94585,94588,94589,94590,94591,94592,94596,94597,94598,94708,94803
DISTRICT 18
Contact Assembly Member Rob Bonta
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 6012, Sacramento, CA 94249-0018; (916) 319-2018
District Office:
1515 Clay Street, Ste. 2204
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 286-1670
Fax: (510) 286-1888
94501,94502,94507,94546,94552,94577,94578,94579,94580,94601,94602,94603,94605,94606,94607,
94608,94609,94610,94611,94612,94613,94614,94615,94619,94621,94622,94624,94649,94659,94660
94666
DISTRICT 57
Contact Assembly Member Ian C. Calderon
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2148, Sacramento, CA 94249-0057; (916) 319-2057
District Office:
13181 Crossroads Parkway North
Suite 160
City of Industry, CA 91746-3497
Tel: (562) 692-5858
Fax: (562) 695-5852
90240,90241,90601,90602,90603,90604,90605,90606,90607,90608,90609,90610,90620,90621,90631,
90637,90638,90639,90640,90650,90651,90652,90660,90670,90703,91706,91715,91716,91732,91733,
91744,91745,91746,91748,91749,91770,91789,91790,91792,92833
DISTRICT 55
Contact Assembly Member Ling Ling Chang
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3149, Sacramento, CA 94249-0055; (916) 319-2055
DISTRICT OFFICE
3 Pointe Drive, Suite 313
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-5502
(714) 529-5548 fax
90603,90631,90632,90633,90638,91708,91709,91710,91724,91744,91745,91748,91765,91766,91768,
91773,91788,91789,91791,91792,91795,92806,92807,92808,92821,92822,92823,92831,92833,92835,
92870,92871,92880,92885,92886,92887
DISTRICT 69
Contact Assembly Member Tom Daly
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3120, Sacramento, CA 94249-0069; (916) 319-2069
District Office:
2400 East Katella Avenue, Suite 640
Anaheim, CA 92806
Tel: (714) 939-8469
Fax: (714) 939-8986
92606,92614,92626,92701,92702,92703,92704,92705,92706,92707,92708,92711,92712,92735,92780,
92799,92801,92802,92803,92805,92806,92812,92815,92816,92825,92831,92832,92840,92843,92850,
92866,92868, 92870
DISTRICT 13
Contact Assembly Member Susan Talamantes Eggman
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3173, Sacramento, CA 94249-0013; (916) 319-2013
District Office:
31 East Channel Street
Suite 306
Stockton, CA 95202
Tel: (209) 948-7479
Fax: (209) 465-5058
94505,94511,94514,94550,95201,95202,95203,95204,95205,95206,95207,95208,95209,95210,95211,
95212,95213,95215,95219,95220,95231,95234,95240,95242,95258,95267,95269,95296,95297,95304,
95330,95336,95337,95363,95376,95377,95378,95385,95391,95632,95641,95686,95690
DISTRICT 3
Contact Assembly Member James Gallagher
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 5128, Sacramento, CA 94249-0003; (916) 319-2003
Yuba City District Office
1130 Civic Center Blvd, Suite F
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 671-0303
(530) 671-0308 fax
Chico District Office
2060 Talbert Drive, Suite 110
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 895-4217
(530) 895-4219 fax
95423,95428,95469,95552,95626,95645,95648,95659,95668,95674,95676,95681,95691,95692,95776,
95836,95837,95901,95903,95910,95913,95914,95917,95918,95919,95920,95922,95925,95926,95927,
95928,95929,95930,95932,95935,95938,95939,95940,95941,95942,95943,95946,95948,95949,95950,
95951,95953,95954,95955,95957,95958,95959,95960,95961,95962,95963,95965,95966,95967,95968,
95969,95970,95973,95974,95976,95977,95979,95980,95981,95982,95987,95988,95991,95992,95993,
96007,96020,96021,96022,96029,96035,96047,96055,96059,96061,96063,96074,96075,96076,96078,
96080,96088,96090,96092
DISTRICT 56
Contact Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 4162, Sacramento, CA 94249-0056; (916) 319-2056
District Office:
48220 Jackson Street, #A3
Coachella, CA 92236
Tel: (760) 347-2360
Fax: (760) 347-5704
Imperial Valley Office:
1101 Airport Road, Suite D
Imperial, CA 92251
Main: (760) 355-8656
Fax: (760) 355-8856
91905,92004,92036,92066,92201,92202,92203,92211,92222,92225,92226,92227,92231,92232,92233,
92234,92235,92236,92239,92240,92241,92243,92244,92249,92250,92251,92252,92253,92254,92256,
92257,92258,92259,92262,92264,92266,92270,92274,92275,92276,92277,92280,92281,92282,92283,
92284
DISTRICT 48
Contact Assembly Member Roger Hernández
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 5016, Sacramento, CA 94249-0048; (916) 319-2048
District Office:
100 North Barranca Street
Suite 895
West Covina, CA 91791
Tel: (626) 960-4457
Fax: (626) 960-1310
90046,90049,90068,90077,90210,91325,91331,91335,91343,91344,91345,91393,91401,91402,91403,
91404,91405,91406,91407,91408,91409,91410,91411,91412,91413,91423,91470,91482,91495,91496,
91499,91505,91601,91602,91603,91604,91605,91606,91607,91608,91610,91614,91617,91618
DISTRICT 41
Contact Assembly Member Chris R. Holden
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 319, Sacramento, CA 94249-0041; (916) 319-2041
Pasadena Office:
600 N. Rosemead Blvd, Suite 117
Pasadena, CA 91107
Tel: (626) 351-1917
Fax: (626) 351-6176
Claremont Office:
415 W. Foothill Blvd.,Suite 124,
Claremont CA 91711
Tel: (909) 624-7876
Fax: (909) 626-2548
90032,90041,90042,91001,91003,91006,91007,91008,91010,91011,91016,91017,91024,91025,91030,
91031,91042,91101,91102,91103,91104,91105,91106,91107,91108,91109,91110,91114,91115,91116,
91117,91121,91123,91124,91125,91126,91129,91182,91184,91185,91188,91189,91199,91206,91701,
91702,91711,91724,91730,91737,91740,91741,91750,91759,91763,91764,91767,91768,91773,91775,
91784, 91785,91786,91801,92358,93543,93553,93563
DISTRICT 71
Contact Assembly Member Brian W. Jones
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3141, Sacramento, CA 94249-0071; (916) 319-2071
DISTRICT OFFICE
10152 Mission Gorge Rd.
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 441-2322
(619) 441-2327 fax
91901, 91902,91903,91905,91906,91914,91915,91916,91917,91931,91934,91935,91941,91942,91945,
91948,91962,91963,91976,91977,91978,91979,91980,91987,92004,92019,92020,92021,92022,92027,
92036,92040,92059,92064,92065,92066,92070,92071,92072,92086,92114,92119,92124,92131,92210,
92220,92230,92243,92251,92253,92260,92264,92274,92536,92539,92543,92544,92549,92561,92591
92592,92596
DISTRICT 33
Contact Assembly Member Jay Obernolte
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 4116, Sacramento, CA 94249-0033; (916) 319-2033
DISTRICT OFFICE
15900 Smoke Tree Street, # 125
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 244-5277
(760) 244-5447 fax
92225,92241,92242,92256,92267,92277,92280,92284,92285,92301,92304,92305,92307,92308,92309,
92310,92311,92312,92314,92315,92317,92321,92322,92323,92325,92326,92327,92328,92332,92333,
92339,92340,92341,92342,92344,92345,92346,92347,92352,92356,92359,92363,92364,92365,92366,
92368,92371,92372,92382,92384,92385,92386,92389,92391,92392,92393,92394,92395,92398,92399,
92404,92407,92414,93501,93516,93524,93527,93528,93535,93544,93545,93555,93558,93562,93591,
93592
DISTRICT 20
Contact Assembly Member Bill Quirk
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2163, Sacramento, CA 94249-0020; (916) 319-2020
District Office:
22320 Foothill Blvd, Suite 540
Hayward, CA 94541
Tel: (510) 583-8818
Fax: (510) 583-8800
94507,94536,94537,94538,94539,94540,94541,94542,94543,94544,94545,94546,94550,94552,94555,
94557,94560,94566,94568,94577,94578,94579,94580,94583,94586,94587,94588,95035,95140
DISTRICT 53
Contact Assembly Member Miguel Santiago
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 5119, Sacramento, CA 94249-0053; (916) 319-2053
District Office:
320 West 4th Street
Room 1050
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel: (213) 620-4646
Fax: (213) 620-6319
90004,90005,90006,90007,90010,90012,90013,90014,90015,90017,90018,90019,90020,90021,90023,
90026,90029,90033,90038,90040,90053,90055,90057,90058,90063,90070,90071,90075,90076,90081,
90101,90201,90255,90270
DISTRICT 68
Contact Assembly Member Donald P. Wagner
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3098, Sacramento, CA 94249-0068; (916) 319-2068
DISTRICT OFFICE
17821 E. 17th Street,
Suite #150
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 665-6868
(714) 665-6867 fax
92602, ,92604,92606,92609,92610,92618,92620,92630,92653,92676,92679,92691,92692,92701,92705,
92706,92780,92781,92782,92806,92807,92808,92809,92817,92856,92857,92859,92861,92863,92864,
92865,92866,92867,92868,92869,92870,92882,92883,92886,92887,92899
DISTRICT 79
Contact Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 3123, Sacramento, CA 94249-0079; (916) 319-2079
District Office:
1350 Front Street
Suite 6046
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 531-7913
Fax: (619) 531-7924
91902,91908,91910,91911,91913,91914,91915,91917,91921,91935,91941,91942,91943,91944,91945,
91946,91950,91977,91978,92020,92102,92103,92105,92108,92110,92111,92113,92114,92115,92116,
92119,92120,92123,92124,92139,92154,92160,92168,92171,92174,92175,92190,92193,92195
DISTRICT 2
Contact Assembly Member Jim Wood
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 6005, Sacramento, CA 94249-0002; (916) 319-2002
Humboldt:
(Also represents Del Norte and Trinity Counties)
1036 5th Street, Suite D
Eureka, CA 95501
Tel: (707) 445-7014
Fax: (707) 445-6607
Mendocino:
Ukiah Valley Conference Center
200 S. School St. Suite D
Ukiah, CA 95482
Tel: (707) 463-5770
Fax: (707) 463-5773
Sonoma:
50 “D” Street, Suite 450
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Tel: (707) 576-2526
Fax: (707) 576-2297
94515, 94574,94922,94923,94952,95401,95403,95404,95405,95406,95409,95410,95412,95415,95417,
95418,95419,95420,95421,95425,95427,95428,95429,95430,95432,95436,95437,95439,95441,95442,
95444,95445,95446,95448,95449,95450,95451,95452,95453,95454,95456,95459,95460,95461,95462,
95465,95466,95468,95469,95470,95471,95472,95480,95481,95482,95485,95486,95488,95490,95492,
95493,95494,95497,95501,95502,95503,95511,95514,95518,95519,95521,95524,95525,95526,95527,
95528,95531,95532,95534,95536,95537,95538,95540,95542,95543,95546,95547,95548,95549,95550,
95551,95552,95553,95554,95555,95556,95558,95559,95560,95562,95563,95564,95565,95567,95568,
95569,95570,95571,95573,95585,95587,95589,95595,95939,95963,96010,96014,96017,96024,96031,
96033,96039,96041,96046,96047,96048,96051,96052,96067,96076,96080,96091,96093,96094
Sources: The Balloon Council