OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 605 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 605’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsors: Reps. Upchurch and Creech
Effective date:
Daniel DeSantis, Research Analyst
SUMMARY
 Require that the playing surface of a professional sporting stadium be comprised of not
less than 90% natural grass.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Finding statement
The bill includes the following statement:
The General Assembly finds that safe working
environments are an essential aspect of a thriving economy and
provide citizens with employment opportunities that avail them
and their families to be contributing and positive members of the
community. Furthermore, the General Assembly finds that
competitions that occur on natural grass surfaces result in fewer
non-contact lower extremity injuries, and therefore, that natural
grass provides the safest available work environment for athletes
who compete on either natural grass, synthetic turf, or a blend.1
Playing surface requirement
The bill requires that the playing surface of a professional sporting stadium be
comprised of not less than 90% natural grass and maintained at industry standard levels for
high performance field surfaces. For purposes of the bill, “professional sporting stadium”
means any facility with a seating capacity of 10,000 or more that hosts a preseason, regular
1 Section 2 of the bill.
May 28, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
season, or postseason sport or athletic event in which members of the National Football
League, Major League Baseball, or Major League Soccer compete.2
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 05-20-24
ANHB0605IN-135/ts
2 R.C. 3775.17.
P a g e |2 H.B. 605
As Introduced