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S 2187

Provides for a state workforce fuel reduction and conservation program which will develop and assist in implementing strategies to reduce fuel consumption

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Massachusetts bans public funding for artificial turf containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally-added PFAS; existing fields may continue until end of their useful life.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 2187

Bill Summary — S.2187 (2025)

Title (text): An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation of artificial turf fields

Note: bill metadata contains some inconsistent entries (different titles and sponsor lists). The bill text and docket identify State Senator Michael O. Moore as the presenting sponsor (petitioned with Senators James Eldridge, Carmine Gentile and Bruce Tarr). This summary is based on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate.

Purpose

S.2187 would prohibit Massachusetts state agencies and local governments from funding the purchase, use, or installation of artificial turf fields that contain zinc, plastic, or intentionally‑added PFAS chemicals. Its stated intent is to prevent use of turf materials that may pose environmental or public‑health risks.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 72 to Chapter 29 (state agencies/authorities) and a new Section 70 to Chapter 40 (local governments).
  • Definitions:
    • “Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAS): fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
    • “Intentionally‑added PFAS”: PFAS that are deliberately added to a product or enter a product during manufacturing/processing where the manufacturer knows or reasonably should know of the addition; includes degradation products and PFAS used as processing or mold‑release agents, or created by chemical reactions.
  • Prohibition: No state agency/state authority or local government may provide funding for purchase, use, or installation of artificial turf that contains zinc, plastic, or intentionally‑added PFAS for any new or existing field.
  • Grandfathering: Existing artificial turf fields that contain zinc, plastic, or intentionally‑added PFAS may continue to be used for their useful life, but may not be replaced with artificial turf containing those materials when their useful life ends.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies and authorities and all local governments (counties, cities, towns) in Massachusetts — specifically their procurement and capital projects for athletic fields and similar installations.
  • School districts, municipal parks departments, universities and other public entities that build or replace sports fields with public funding.
  • Manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors of artificial turf who sell to public entities in Massachusetts.
  • Private purchases not funded by state/local governments are not directly prohibited by this language.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Practically functions as a state/local‑funded ban on conventional artificial turf (most turf contains plastic and many products contain zinc or PFAS), likely shifting procurement toward natural grass or alternative non‑PFAS, non‑plastic surfaces.
  • Environmental/health goals: aims to reduce PFAS and metal (zinc) contamination and microplastic runoff.
  • Fiscal/operational impacts: natural turf and alternatives have different installation, maintenance, lifecycle costs, and usability (e.g., playability in wet conditions). Municipal budgets and scheduling for field replacement may be affected.
  • Enforcement mechanism: prohibition is framed as a funding restriction (procurement/contracting rule); the bill does not specify penalties beyond denial of public funding.

Legislative status & timeline (as provided)

  • Filed on Senate docket: 01/08/2025.
  • Introduced in the Senate: 06/26/2025; read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means: 07/24/2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: 07/15/2025 (per docket).
  • Other entries show referrals to State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and Investigations and Government Operations; metadata appears inconsistent—check the official legislative website for current status.

Notes / Caveats

  • The bill text’s broad prohibition on “plastic” effectively prevents funding for virtually all conventional synthetic turf systems; implementation details and acceptable alternatives are not specified.
  • Because some metadata (title, sponsor lists) in the provided package conflict with the bill text, readers should consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s official bill page for authoritative sponsor information and the latest procedural status.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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