Sacramento, CA — A bill passed in the California Assembly today would outlaw homeowners associations from banning fake grass or other types of artificial lawns.
A similar bill was passed in the legislature in 2010 and 2011, but was vetoed by the Governor. There were arguments made at the time that artificial turf is harmful to the environment as it ends up in landfills, and that it damages the health and diversity of the soil that it covers. However, now that California is in the midst of its fourth consecutive drought year, state regulators are asking residents find alternatives to water guzzling yards. AB 349 passed 69-2 in the Assembly, and it now moves over to the Senate. If eventually signed into law by Governor Brown, it would take effect immediately.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.
Written by BJ Hansen.
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