An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation of artificial turf fields

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits state and local funding for purchasing or installing artificial turf containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS.

House concurred

Summary: Senate Docket No. 152 – An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation of artificial turf fields

Overview
- Bill Number: SD 152
- Title: An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation of artificial turf fields
- Status: House concurred
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Primary sponsor: Sen. Michael O. Moore
- Committee reference: State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
- Similar matter: Previously filed as Senate No. 2057 (2023-2024)

Purpose and intent
- The bill prohibits the use of state and local government funds for purchasing, using, or installing artificial turf fields that contain zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
- It aims to prevent new turf projects or replacements that involve PFAS-containing materials, directing stakeholders toward alternative surfaces or materials.

Key provisions

1) Amendments to Chapter 29 (Section 72)
- Prohibition: No state agency may provide funding for artificial turf that contains zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS.
- Existing fields: May be used for their useful life, but cannot be replaced with turf containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS.
- Definitions introduced:
- Intentionally-added PFAS: PFAS chemicals added to products or resulting from manufacturing/processing; includes degradation products and PFAS used as processing or mold-release agents.
- PFAS chemicals: Class of fluorinated organic chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

2) Amendments to Chapter 40 (Section 70)
- Prohibition: No local government shall provide funding for artificial turf that contains zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS.
- Existing fields: May be used for their useful life, but cannot be replaced with turf containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS.
- Local government definition: Includes counties, cities, towns, or other municipal entities.
- PFAS definitions: Mirrored from Section 72 (intentionally-added PFAS and PFAS chemicals).

Affected entities
- State agencies and state-funded projects seeking to purchase or install artificial turf.
- Local governments (cities, towns, counties) undertaking turf projects or replacements.
- Contractors and vendors involved in the procurement or installation of artificial turf.

Implementation and timelines
- The bill imposes funding prohibitions for new purchases, uses, or installations of PFAS-containing or zinc/plastic turf.
- It allows continued use of existing turf fields for their remaining useful life but blocks replacements with noncompliant turf.
- No specific phase-in date is listed; the prohibitions apply to funded projects moving forward upon enactment.

Legislative actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
- 2025-02-27: House concurred

Potential impact and considerations
- Shifts procurement toward PFAS-free turf or alternative playing surfaces.
- Financial implications for municipalities considering replacements or upgrades.
- Alignment with environmental and public health goals related to PFAS exposure and legacy chemicals in turf products.