Prohibits expenditure of Green Acres funds for purchase, use, installation, or replacement of artificial turf fields.
This bill would prohibit the use of money from the Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund, and any other Green Acres Fund, to purchase, use, install, or replace artificial turf fields. The measure is framed as an environmental and public health restriction on how open-space and recreation funding may be spent.
The bill’s findings section explains the Legislature’s rationale for the ban. It states that synthetic turf can contain rubber infill and other chemicals associated with health risks, including carcinogens, neurotoxicants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, PFAS, microplastics, and nanoplastics. It also cites concerns about runoff, harm to aquatic life, heat retention, athlete injuries, and other safety issues, while arguing that natural grass is a safer alternative.
If enacted, the bill would amend the Green Acres funding framework to bar state open-space and recreation dollars from being used for artificial turf projects. This would affect municipalities, school districts, and State departments or agencies that seek Green Acres support for athletic fields or recreational facilities, and would likely steer funded projects toward natural grass or other non-artificial surfaces.
The bill text reflects strong support for restricting artificial turf, and the stated policy position is clearly precautionary and anti-synthetic-turf. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no additional evidence of legislative debate, but the introduced bill itself suggests a favorable view toward environmental protection, public health, and natural grass alternatives.
The central point of contention is whether artificial turf is a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and water-saving option worth funding despite alleged health and environmental risks. Supporters of the bill emphasize chemical exposure, PFAS, microplastics, heat, and injury concerns, while opponents would likely argue that turf offers durability, lower maintenance, and field access benefits for schools and municipalities. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is available, no specific lawmakers or stakeholder groups are identified in the record provided.