A bill requiring a state-wide, uniform system to track the chain of custody of synthetic turf has passed the Environment and Transportation Committee and is now on its way to the House floor.

MACo supports HB 299 – Environment – Synthetic Turf – Chain of Custody, and worked diligently with bill sponsor Del. Mary Lehman on amendments to ensure further clarity in the recordation process, from clearing up ambiguity on certain definitions, to recognizing certain difficulties in tracking turf infill.

From the MACo Testimony:

Synthetic turf is a widely used product in the parks and recreation space meant to mimic grass fields. The turf is primarily used to cover spaces that experience a high volume of use and where natural grass may offer an unreasonable expense or be labor intensive to maintain. High volume usage of artificial fields can, overall, reduce the need for expensive and more rigorously maintained natural fields… Counties support the intent of HB 299 and believe that MACo’s friendly amendments will help ensure an unbroken chain of custody for artificial turf.

For more on MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2023 legislative session, visit MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.