David Michel

On Wednesday, some of my colleagues and I discussed different bills and priorities affecting the environment. Please keep scrolling to learn why we're advocating to ban certain balloons.

The Environment Committee also gathered for a public hearing to discuss more than a dozen proposals from banning small bottles of alcohol and the sale of shark fins. Read below to get a full rundown!

Here are the sections of today's email:

• Banning Non-Biodegradable Balloons
• Environment Committee Public Hearing
• Public Hearing Schedule

I joined my co-chairs of the Environment Committee at a press conference to discuss banning non-biodegradable balloons. Balloons contribute to marine pollution and negatively affect waterlines, farms, etc. The potential ban on select balloons is aimed at encouraging the industry to go biodegradable.

I'd also like to see a full ban on sales and production of all balloons. Although a latex balloon can degrade faster, it is still not fast enough if stuck inside wildlife. I ask that you refrain from buying any balloons, and instead use other festive options and nonpolluters, such as bubbles and light machines.

It was great to be back for the Environment Committee Public Hearing this week. We had a great turnout to discuss 16 bills over nine hours of testimony. We discussed new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for batteries and solar panels. The public was adamant about raising more effective legislation to ban rodenticides.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture once again came before the committee advocating to redefine the word “animal”, claiming support from advocacy groups. However, we have also heard opposition from those very same groups as well as concerns including the possible lack of enforcement on animal cruelty and which animals would get protection under the new definition. I am following this initiative closely and will continue to update those advocates who oppose this proposal.

There was ample discussion about banning nips (small bottles of alcohol), as those who testified complained about the abundant litter across the state. There were concerns that nips allow people to drink discreetly, while driving, as an example.

This session, we are discussing again the ban on selling shark fins, similar to my 2019 bill that passed the House floor. This year's bill wants to add the ban of smooth dogfish fins, as well as spiny dogfish fins.

Fisheries think that the inclusion of both types will prevent poachers from using loopholes to illegally sell in Connecticut. All fin sales should be banned.