HB 347

02-05 12:12  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 347
                            Hoang Nguyen proposes the following substitute bill:
1Artificial Turf Placement Modifications
                                           2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                              STATE OF UTAH
                                       Chief Sponsor: Hoang Nguyen
                                      Senate Sponsor: Stephanie Pitcher
2
3   LONG TITLE
4   General Description:
5This bill requires a local education agency (LEA) governing board to provide notice and
6   place artificial turf installation on a regular meeting agenda before installing artificial turf on
7   LEA property.
8   Highlighted Provisions:
9This bill:
10▸ defines terms;
11▸ requires an LEA governing board to provide notice to nearby property owners before
12   installing artificial turf;
13▸ establishes notification radius requirements;
14▸ requires an LEA governing board to place turf installation on a regular meeting agenda
15   before installing the artificial turf;
16▸ specifies the content requirements for notice; and
17▸ establishes timelines for notice and meetings.
                                                                                                          1st Sub. H.B. 347
18   Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19None
20   Other Special Clauses:
21None
22   Utah Code Sections Affected:
23   ENACTS:
2453G-7-228, Utah Code Annotated 1953
25
26   Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27Section 1. Section 53G-7-228 is enacted to read:
2853G-7-228 . Artificial turf installation -- Notice and meeting requirements.
1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 347  02-05 12:12
29   (1) As used in this section:
30(a) "Artificial turf" means a surface of synthetic fibers made to resemble natural grass,
31including any infill material such as crumb rubber.
32(b) "Athletic field" means an area designed and used for organized sports activities,
33including soccer fields, lacrosse fields, football fields, baseball fields, and similar
34recreational surfaces of at least 5,000 square feet.
35(c) "Installation" means the initial placement of artificial turf on an athletic field on LEA
36property.
37(d) "LEA governing board" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53G-7-303.
38(e) "Property owner" means an individual or entity that:
39(i) owns real property with a property boundary within the notification radius
40established under Subsection (4); or
41(ii) resides on real property with a property boundary within the notification radius
42established under Subsection (4).
43   (2) Before installing artificial turf on LEA property, an LEA governing board shall:
44(a) provide notice in accordance with Subsections (3) and (4); and
45(b) place the proposed installation on a regular meeting agenda in accordance with
46Subsection (5).
47   (3)(a) An LEA governing board shall provide written notice to each property owner or
48property resident within the notification radius established under Subsection (4) at
49least 30 days before the date of the meeting required under Subsection (5).
50(b) The LEA governing board shall deliver the written notice required under Subsection
51(3)(a) by:
52(i) mailing the notice by United States mail to the property address; or
53(ii) hand delivering the notice to the property address.
54(c) The written notice shall include:
55(i) a description of the proposed artificial turf installation, including:
56(A) the location of the proposed installation;
57(B) the size of the proposed installation;
58(C) the type of artificial turf and infill material proposed; and
59(D) the intended use of the artificial turf;
60(ii) in accordance with Subsection (4), the notification radius used;
61(iii) the date, time, and location of the meeting required under Subsection (5);
62(iv) a statement that the property owner may appear at the meeting to provide
                                                 -2-
02-05 12:12  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 347
63comment on the proposed installation;
64(v) contact information for the LEA where the property owner may obtain additional
65information about the proposed installation; and
66(vi) information for the online location where the property owner may obtain
67additional information and updates on the proposed installation.
68(d) In addition to the written notice required under Subsection (3)(a), at least 60 days
69before the date of the meeting, an LEA governing board shall post a notice of the
70proposed installation and meeting on the LEA's website.
71(e) Notwithstanding any notice requirements under Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public
72Meetings Act, an LEA governing board shall:
73(i) update the website posting required under Subsection (3)(d) within seven days
74after a change to the proposed installation is made before the noticed meeting
75where the proposed installation will be discussed or voted on; and
76(ii) clearly state that an update has been made, including highlighting where to find
77the changes and explaining what the changes are.
78(f)(i) The LEA governing board shall maintain documentation demonstrating
79compliance with the notice requirements of this Subsection (3), including:
80(A) maintaining a list of property owners notified for the sole purpose of
81demonstrating compliance with this section;
82(B) copies of written notices sent; and
83(C) documentation of website posting.
84(ii) A list maintained under this Subsection (3)(f) may be discarded after the
85governing board takes final action on the installation and does not create a new
86record retention requirement beyond those imposed under Title 63G, Chapter 2,
87Government Records Access and Management Act.
88   (4)(a) An LEA governing board shall determine the notification radius by measuring
89from the outer edge of the proposed artificial turf installation to property boundaries
90of surrounding properties.
91(b) The notification radius described in Subsection (4)(a) shall be 200 feet.
92   (5)(a) An LEA governing board shall include the proposed artificial turf installation as
93an agenda item at a regular meeting of the LEA governing board.
94(b) The meeting described in Subsection (5)(a) shall be conducted in compliance with
95Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
96(c) At the meeting, the LEA governing board shall:
                                                -3-
 1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 347  02-05 12:12
97(i) present information about the proposed artificial turf installation; and
98(ii) allow property owners and members of the public to provide public comment on
99the proposed installation.
100   (6) An LEA governing board may not approve installation of artificial turf until the
101requirements of this section have been met.
102   (7) This section does not:
103(a) prohibit an LEA governing board from installing artificial turf after complying with
104the requirements of this section;
105(b) create a private right of action for property owners or other persons;
106(c) require an LEA to conduct environmental testing or studies beyond what is otherwise
107required by law; or
108(d) supersede any other notice or meeting requirements established by state or federal
109law.
110   (8) The notice and meeting requirements of this section do not apply to:
111(a) maintenance, repair, or resurfacing of existing artificial turf; or
112(b) replacement of artificial turf with natural grass or another surface that is not artificial
113turf.
114Section 2. Effective Date.
115   This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
                                                  -4-