HF 1601

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/09/2016 12:57pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; limiting the use of synthetic turf on certain athletic fields;
requiring the commissioner of health to study the impacts of the use of crumb
rubber; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.946] HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF SYNTHETIC TURF.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (a) "Crumb rubber" means ground rubber derived from waste tires, which contain one
or more of the following: acetone, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, vanadium, or zinc.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Synthetic turf" means any materials or compositions that include crumb rubber
used in the place of grass to surface parks, outdoor athletic playing fields, indoor athletic
facilities, or other venues.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of synthetic turf. new text end

new text begin No person may install synthetic turf on an athletic
playing field within the boundaries of a public or private school or a public park until the
Department of Health, in consultation with the Pollution Control Agency, has prepared a
site-specific impact report on the health and environmental effects of the use or installation
of synthetic turf on that athletic playing field.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Health study; report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health must study the health
impacts related to the use of crumb rubber within synthetic turf and review all available
data relating to the potential health risks and health effects of synthetic turf, with particular
attention to the crumb rubber content of the synthetic turf. In conducting this study, the
commissioner must examine the health and environmental impact of various pathways of
exposure including, but not limited to, small-fill particle inhalation, volatility, leaching
into groundwater, dermal absorption, and the persistence in the environment of the original
and degraded by-products of crumb rubber. By June 30, 2016, the commissioner of health
shall report the findings of the study to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and environment policy.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the commissioner
of health to prepare impact reports and study the use of crumb rubber within synthetic turf.
new text end