Report Title:

Aloha Stadium: Artificial Turf

 

Description:

Requires the stadium authority to review and compare the current artificial turf with more technologically advanced turf products.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3014

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO ALOHA STADIUM.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that some forms of artificial turf have been cited as the cause of sports injuries, and the synthetic turf at Aloha Stadium, which serves as the State's showcase during the football season, has generated similar controversy since its installation.

The legislature further finds that the current Hawaii tourism authority (HTA) NFL Pro Bowl contract includes a provision that "HTA will use best efforts to provide by the date of the 2002 NFL Pro Bowl Game a natural turf playing surface at Aloha Stadium, whether temporary or permanent, or other turf alternative that is reasonably acceptable to the NFL. Such efforts shall include, but not be limited to, conducting due diligence in coordination with various stakeholders of the Aloha Stadium with respect to such conversion from artificial to natural turf for the purpose of the Event. NFL agrees to provide consultants and other professional technical assistance and relevant data to assist HTA in its due diligence. Upon request, HTA will provide a status report of its efforts to NFL."

While some efforts have been made to ban the use of artificial turf, advances in technology have improved the safety features of synthetic surfaces. One Hawaii high school recently installed an artificial turf – also used at the University of Nebraska – that was developed to be less abrasive than earlier types of artificial turf, which often cause skins burns when athletes skid or slide on it.

The purpose of this Act is to require the stadium authority to review the use of the current artificial turf at Aloha Stadium, including injuries attributed to the turf, and to consider the effectiveness of the more technologically advanced artificial surfaces.

SECTION 2. The stadium authority shall review, with the assistance of the various stakeholders of the Aloha Stadium, any incidences of injuries attributed to the current artificial surface, costs of installation and maintenance, liability concerns, how the type of surface affects the booking and contracting for events at the stadium, and any other issues that may be appropriate.

The authority shall consider the pros and cons of the current artificial surface and those of more technologically advanced artificial turf products, and shall present this information in a manner that clearly outlines the comparative advantages and disadvantages, by issue or subject, for each.

SECTION 3. The authority shall report to the legislature on its findings and any recommendations no later than twenty days prior to the regular session of 2003.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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