MA H142

Department of Agricultural Resources required to promulgate regulations for post-construction soil performance guidelines covering soil depth, quality, carbon storage capacity, stormwater runoff, water quality, fertilizer mitigation, and compaction/infiltration capacity

Regulations must be developed in conjunction with UMass Amherst Extension and be consistent with healthy soils practices defined in existing state law (Section 7A of Chapter 128)

Violations subject to fines up to $250 for first offense, $500 for second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses, with appeals allowed within 10 days to the Division of Administrative Law Appeals

Replaces "lawn" definition with new definitions for "turf," "functional turf" (lawns, parks, golf courses, sports fields), and "utility turf" (ecological purposes like erosion control, carbon sequestration, heat island mitigation)

Department may limit regulations regionally as appropriate based on local conditions