Illinois Department of Natural Resources Appropriation Bills Filed

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Appropriation Bills Filed

State Budget FY 2017

Pictures property of IDNR and IGOMB

On February 17, 2016 Governor Rauner laid out his proposed budget for FY 2017. Now that the Governor has proposed his budget, the legislators are able to introduce their budget bills.

On February 19, 2016 Republican Leaders Radogno (Lemont, Illinois) & Durkin (Burr Ridge, Illinois) filed SB3190 & HB6355.

SB3190 & HB6355 -$DNR FY17 OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, as follows: General Revenue Fund $44,000,000; Other State Funds $193,827,275; Federal Funds $26,407,407; Total $264,234,682.

Of course the budget is going to be a topic with much heated debate.

State and Federal Money Possibly being cut from Natural Resource Programs

State and Federal Money Possibly being cut from Natural Resource Programs

While budget talks continue in Springfield, you might not be aware of other whispers happening in Washington D.C. October 1st starts the fiscal year for the federal government. While congress prolonged funding of the federal government, they didn't fund the Land Water and Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Capitol Happenings for the Week of 3/17/13

Session is on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.  

*denotes that legislation can be heard in committee this week

New Legislation:

*Illinois Hunting and Fishing License Fees- Over 75 years of Age (HB4329)
*Illinois Lion's Meat Act (HB5386)

*Illinois Water Usage Stamp not required for Inner Tubes (HB5612)
*Illinois Boat Safety (HR770)

Illinois Boat Safety (HR770) *Updated (5/9/14 9:30pm)

Date filed: 1/24/14
By: Representative Wheeler
Status: Resolution Adopted by House

Recommends Be Adopted 011-000-000

Summary: 
Urges the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to work with boat rental businesses, boating clubs, and other organizations to encourage Illinois boaters to participate in boating safety courses.

View the entire resolution here.

This is essentially the same thing as HB4303 however it was introduced as a House Resolution as well. 

Illinois Water Usage Stamp not required for Inner Tubes (HB5612) *Updated (3/29/14 10:50am)

Date filed: 2/13/14
By: Representative Reis
Status: Re-referred to House Rules

Summary: 
Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that inner tubes are not required to have a water usage stamp. Effective immediately.

View more information and the entire bill here.

Illinois Lion's Meat Act (HB5386) *Updated (3/28/14 10:30am)

Date Filed: 2/10/14
By: Representative Arroyo
Status: Re-referred to House Rules Committee


Summary: 
Creates the Lion Meat Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to slaughter a lion or for any person to possess, breed, import or export from this State, buy, or sell lions for the purpose of slaughter. Provides that it is unlawful to commercialize lion meat. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to adopt and enforce any rules necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. Provides that whoever violates any provision of the Act shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.

View more information and the entire bill here.

Illinois Hunting and Fishing License Fees- Over 75 years of Age (HB4329) *Updated (5/29/14 8:00pm)

This Bill will allow any resident over 75 years old and that is enrolled in the Benefits Access Program to receive a sport fishing and hunting license at a reduced fee of $1/ea. 

Update- the Senate removed the part of the bill where it is required for the person over 75 to be enrolled in the Benefit Access Program. 

The Bill has passed both houses and now moves onto the Governor. 



Date Filed: 1/27/14
By: Representative Franks
Status: Passed both Houses 

Senate: Passed Agriculture Committee 5-0
House=Passed 108-001-000Floor Amendment #1 Adopted View that here.
Passed Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 011-002-000

Summary:
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the original bill. Provides that persons over 75 years of age must also be enrolled in the Benefit Access Program with the Department on Aging. Provides that the fee for sport fishing and hunting licenses shall be reduced to $1, rather than waived entirely, for persons over 75 years of age who are enrolled in the Benefit Access Program. Effective immediately.

Capitol Happenings Legislative Round-up for the Week of 3/3/14

Bills that came out of committee: 

Illinois Boat Rentals and requiring the use of Safety Video (HB4303) 

Passed House Agriculture & Conservation 15-0

Illinois Changing the Definition of Aquatic Life (SB3333) 

Passed Senate Agriculture & Conservation 6-0

For a more detailed post for the week check out Monday's post here. 

Notes from the week:

General Assembly is on Recess Next week. 

IGOLD held rally. Check out news clip here.

Illinois Changing the Definition of Aquatic Life (SB3333) *Updated (5/9/14 10:07pm)

Date filed:  2/14/14
By: Senator Bush
Status: Passed both Houses, Moves onto the Governor
Passed Third Reading- Short Debate passed 103-000-000

Passed House Agriculture and Conservation; 013-000-000
Passed Senate 55-0 See Roll Call Vote here
 Passed Agriculture and Conservation; 6-0

Summary:
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Changes the definition of "aquatic life". Provides that "aquatic life" means all fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and any other aquatic animals or plants that the Department identifies in rules adopted after consultation with biologists, zoologists, or other wildlife experts.

View more information and the entire bill here. 

Illinois Boat Rentals and requiring the use of Safety Video (HB4303) *Updated (3/6/14 7:10pm)

Date filed: 2/20/14
By: Representative Wheeler
Status: Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading
Passed 15-0 Agriculture & Conservation


Summary: 
Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that the owner of a boat livery, or his agent or employee, shall not rent a watercraft to a person without requiring that person to watch a boating safety video approved by the Department of Natural Resources. The person renting the watercraft must sign and date a form acknowledging that he or she watched the boating safety video and understood its contents. The owner of the boat livery shall keep these forms on file for one year from the date of the signature, and provide these forms to the Department of Natural Resources for inspection upon request. Requires the Department to provide access to approved boating safety videos to licensed boat liveries.

View more information and the entire bill here.

Taking Illinois Trapped Animals with a .22 CALIBER or smaller rifle (HB 5514)*Updated(5/23/14 4:00am)

Date Filed: 2/13/14
By: Representative Cavaletto
Status: Passed Both Chambers 

Passed Senate; 057-000-000
Do Pass Senate Agriculture and Conservation; 008-000-000
Passed House floor 112-00
Passed Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 014-000-000

House Committee Amendment #1 Adopted in Agriculture and Conservation

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that trapped beaver, river otter, weasel, mink, or muskrat may be killed with a .22 caliber or a smaller rifle. Effective immediately.

View more information and the entire bill here.

Amendment #1 filed on 3/5/14. Click here to view. 
The amendment changes the language to:

It shall be unlawful to take beaver, river otter, weasel, mink, or muskrat except during the open season set annually by  the Director, and then, only with traps, except that a firearm, pistol, or airgun of a caliber not larger than a .22 long rifle may be used to remove the animal from the trap.

Bobcat Hunting in Illinois - (HB4226) Updated* (3/27/14 7:00pm)

Date Filed: 1/16/14
By: Representative Phelps
Status: In Senate Assignments

HB-Passed the House 91yes 20no
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Removes the prohibition on taking bobcats in the State. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt bobcats with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, except during the open season which will be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive. Provides that the season limit for bobcat shall not exceed one bobcat per person per season. Provides that the pelts of bobcats shall be tagged in accordance with federal regulations and the Department of Natural Resources may require harvest registration and set forth procedures, fees for registration, and the process of tagging pelts in administrative rules. Provides that bobcats may be taken during the open season by use of a small light which is worn on the body or hand-held by a person on foot and not in any vehicle.
View more information and the entire Bill here.

House Amendment #1
Summary:
Amend House Bill 4226 as follows:
on page 3, line 2, by replacing "person per season" with "permit".
View amendment here. 

Illinois Protection of Wildlife- (SB3049) Updated* (5/23/14 4:22am)

This Bill adds the Gray Wolf, American Black Bear and Cougar to the list of protected Species.  However, there is a clause stating that if they are causing "imminent threat or there is a reasonable expectation that it causes imminent threat" it is not illegal for an owner to immediately take on his or her property. 

Currently in our area, there are only 2 breeding black bears; just south of St. Louis, the wolf is in the Upper Midwest Region and the Cougar is located in South Dakota.  

This Bill has passed Senate and the House added the Amendment where imminent threat is warranted.  Currently, the Bill will need to get passed again over in the Senate with the House Amendment attached before it heads over to the Governor. 

Date Filed: 2/7/14
By: Senator Holmes
Status: Passed both Houses

Passed House 116-0
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate; 016-000-000
Amendment Filed: 3/21/14
Do Pass as Amended 006-000-002
Third Reading Senate - Passed; 047-000-000

Summary:
Amends the Wildlife Code. Adds the Gray wolf, American black bear, and Cougar to the list of protected species under the Act.

View more information and the entire Bill here

Amendment #1 filed.
Summary:
(a) It shall not be illegal for an owner or tenant of land, or their designated agent, to immediately take on his or her property a gray wolf, Canis lupus; American black bear, Ursus americanus; or cougar, Puma concolor if, at any time, the gray wolf, American black bear, or cougar is stalking, causing an imminent threat, or there is a reasonable expectation that it causes an imminent threat of physical harm or death to a human, livestock, domestic animals or harm to structures or other property on the owner or tenant's land.


View entire Amendment here. 

Illinois Fox Waterway Dissolution- (SB2696) Updated* (3/29/14 10:40am)

Date Filed: 1/28/14
By: Senator Link
Status: 3rd Reading April 1, 2014
Do Pass as Amended 006-001-000

Summary: 

Amends and repeals provisions of the Fox Waterway Agency Act. Provides that the Fox Water Agency is dissolved and its assets and property assumed by the Department of Natural Resources.

View more information and entire bill here. 

Illinois DNR Investigations (HB5894) *Updated (4/12/14 7:00pm)

Date Filed: 2/14/14 
By: Representative Jim Durkin
Status:Referred to Senate Assignments
HCA #1 Filed and Adopted. 
Bill Passes Committee as Amended 016-000-000
Floor Amendment #3 has been filed. 
Floor Amendment #3 Recommended to Floor from Rules 
Floor Amendment #3 Adopted by House
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-005-000

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that all authorized employees of the Department of Natural Resources are empowered to enter all public lands and waters (was previously all lands and waters) to enforce the provisions of the Act. Provides that authorized employees are empowered to examine all buildings used by commercial entities as private or public clubs (except dwellings), fish markets, cold storage houses, locker plants, camps, vessels, cars (except sealed railroad cars or other sealed common carrier), conveyances, vehicles, watercraft or other means of transportation or shipping whatsoever, tents, game bags, game coats or other receptacles, and to open and examine any box, barrel, package, or other receptacle in the possession of a common carrier, which they have reason to believe contains wild birds or any part thereof (their nests or eggs), or wild mammals or any part thereof, taken, destroyed, bought, sold or bartered, shipped, or held in possession contrary to any of the provisions of the Act. Provides that no employee of the Department shall enter any private land, question an individual, or make any examinations without probable cause, a valid warrant, or permission. Effective immediately.

More information and entire Bill here.  

Illinois Wildlife Trapping Licenses (HB5458)

Date Filed: 2/11/14 
By: Representative Patrick Verschoore

Status: Referred to Rules Committee

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that no trapping license shall be issued to any person unless he or she presents to the person authorized to issue such license evidence that he or she has a certificate of competency provided for in the Act.

More information and entire Bill here.  

Illinois Hunting From Vehicles (SB 3467) *Updated (3/6/14 7:17pm)

Date Filed: 2/14/14 
By: Senator Sam McCann
Status: Assigned to Judiciary

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Changes the prohibition on hunting from vehicles. Provides that, for specified provisions concerning hunting from vehicles, to "take", "pursue", or "hunt" shall not include a person traveling to or from a blind, stand, or hunting area. Effective immediately.
More information and entire Bill here.  

Illinois Hunting Carrying Handguns (HB5605 &SB 3254) *Updated (3/29/14 10:50am)

SB3254
Date Filed: 2/14/14 
By: Senator Tim Bivins
Status: Assigned to Firearms Subcommittee

HB5605 Date Filed: 2/13/14 
By: Representative Reis
Status: Re-referred to House Rules Committee

Summary: 
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person with a valid concealed carry license issued under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, or an off-duty law enforcement official or officer, may carry a handgun on or about his or her person while hunting. Effective immediately.
Senate Version: More information and entire Bill here.  
House Version: More information and entire Bill here.  

Illinois Changes to Concealed Carry-Places (House Bill 4319) * Updated (3/29/14 10:50am)

Date Filed: 1/27/14 
By: Representative Drury
Status: Re-referred to House Rules

Summary: 

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a licensee under the Act shall not knowingly carry a firearm into any building, real property, or parking area under the control of (1) a licensed establishment as defined and licensed under the Video Gaming Act, or (2) a licensed fraternal establishment or licensed veterans establishment as defined and licensed under the Video Gaming Act, where alcoholic liquor is drawn, poured, mixed, or otherwise served for consumption on the premises. Provides that a licensee under the Act shall not knowingly carry a firearm into any building under the control of a licensed fraternal establishment, licensed veterans establishment, or licensed truck stop establishment, as defined and licensed under the Video Gaming Act, and alcoholic liquor is not drawn, poured, mixed, or otherwise served for consumption on the premises. Provides that any person (rather than the owner) lawfully in possession and control of private real property of any type may prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms on the property (deletes under his or her control). Provides that if the property is a private residence no sign need be posted and it shall be presumed that the carrying of concealed firearms is prohibited in the residence and a violation of the Act. Effective immediately.

More information and entire Bill here.  

Bow and Arrow Definition-Illinois Hunting- (House Bill 4439) *Updated (3/28/14 10:40am)

Date Filed: 1/29/14
By: Representative Halbrook
Status:  Re-referred to House Rules Committee 
Failed in Agriculture by a vote of (6 yes 9 no 1 present)- 2/18/14


Summary:

Amends the Wildlife Code. Expands the definition of "bow and arrow" to include any archery device that pulls 40 pounds within a 28 inch draw.

View more information and the entire Bill here.