A measure under consideration by Suffolk County lawmakers would ban the release of balloons in an effort to reduce shoreline pollution.
Suffolk has banned large-scale balloon releases for nearly two decades.
Proponents say a full ban would keep mylar plastic balloons from being eaten by animals.
The intentional release of a balloon would be penalized with a fine.
But there are exceptions for weather balloons, a hot air balloon or when a child releases a balloon by accident.
The legislation is part of a larger countywide movement to cut down on plastic pollution through straw bans and fees for plastic bags.
East Hampton Town and the city of Long Beach already have similar balloon bans in place.
