Plain English Breakdown
Checked against official source text during the last sync.
HB2146: Rules on Turf and Plant Lists for Some Cities
This law stops cities in initial active management areas from requiring minimum amounts of grass or banning plants not on the state's low-water list, while also keeping mesquite off that official plant list.
What This Bill Does
- Stops municipalities in initial active management areas from creating rules that require a minimum amount of turf on properties.
- Allows exceptions for functional turf used in public spaces like playgrounds, sports fields, cemeteries, schoolyards, and stormwater management, but excludes stormwater drainage areas located in subdivisions.
- Prevents cities from requiring the installation of plants not found on the state's low-water-use and drought-tolerant plant list published by the department for current management plans.
- Prohibits the department from listing any species of mesquite as a low water use or drought tolerant plant.
Who It Names or Affects
- Municipalities located in initial active management areas
- The state agency that publishes the low-water-use and drought-tolerant plant list
Terms To Know
- Initial Active Management Area
- A specific geographic area where groundwater use is managed under a current management plan.
- Functional Turf
- Grass or turf used for public recreational, civic, community purposes, or stormwater management in areas like playgrounds and sports fields.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not list which specific cities are located in initial active management areas.
- The text provided does not state when this law will officially take effect after passing the legislature.