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History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
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Regulates the production of synthetic turf
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5726
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the regulation of synthetic turf products
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill sets forth safety standards for synthetic turf products installed on public and private premises.
Summary of specific provisions
A section 390-d is added to the general business law that will contain two subdivisions.
Subdivision one defines synthetic field turf and what constitutes an acceptable verification of compliance with section 390-d.
Subdivision two prohibits the installation of field turf products with a lead concentration of 50 parts or more per million (ppm) by weight. It also authorizes the attorney general to seek injunctive relief to prevent the installation of synthetic turf products that have prohibited lead concentration levels. This subdivision provides owners of premises possessing synthetic turf to avoid prosecution by providing the attorney general with a certificate that verifies a synthetic turf product's compliance with the section's lead standards. Subdivision three also establishes fines for violations that are capped at $10,000, excepting that they may increase to $30,000 for willful violators.
Justification
Synthetic turf is used as an alternative to natural turf for recreation- al and landscaping purposes, The advantage of synthetic materials is that it can be engineered to meet tough performance standards for durability and safety. For instance, the cushioned nature of new generation synthetic turf products have been found to reduce potentially devastating sports injuries such as concussions. Moreover, synthetic turfs do not require mowing, fertilizing, or pest control, significantly reducing the maintenance costs to school districts, localities and others and reducing environmental impact. Additional environmental gains are that over 20,000 recycled tires are used in one sports field alone.
Even in light of the benefits of synthetic turfs, it is important to assure the public of the overall safety of such products. Exposure to high levels of lead in consumer products is a primary public health concern. This bill sets the standard for lead concentration in synthetic turf products at 50 ppm by weight, the maximum level that the Environmental Protection Agency has determined is found naturally in uncontaminated soil. This level is far lower than the EPA's standards for lead concentration in bare soil in play areas and for non-play areas, which are 400 ppm and 1200 ppm respectively. These EPA standards apply to cleanup projects using federal funds.
It is essential to the public safety and health to establish this synthetic turf safety standard and have it enforced by the Attorney General.
Prior legislative history
2011-12 A7071 consumer affairs and protection
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.