January 28th was the deadline for the General Assembly to file bills for the second year of the 102nd G.A. Both the House and Senate filed many outdoor related bills and we will highlight those below.
Be sure and "Like" our Facebook page where we post updates on bills as they move through the committee process and eventually for a full vote on either the House or Senate floor.
Want to voice your concern regarding a certain bill? You can either reach out to the bill sponsor with specific questions or file a witness slip to document your position. We outlined how you would go about filing a witness slip here.
Capitol Outdoors will dive deeper into each bill as they continue in the process.
The following are bills that were filed this year. If you would like to read the full text of the bill, click the link.
HB 4372 - Rep. Anna Moeller
PROHIBIT WILDLIFE CONTESTS
Prohibits contests or competitions with the objective of taking any fur-bearing mammal. Provides an exception for field trials. Provides that a person who violates the new provisions is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no less than $500 and no more than $5,000 in addition to other statutory penalties.
HB 4386 - Rep. Lance Yednock
WILDLIFE CD-RIFLE-DEER HUNTING
Provides that a centerfire rifle may be used to harvest deer during the firearm open season set by the Director of Natural Resources annually. Provides that all straight walled rifle rounds are legal ammunition for a centerfire rifle
HB 4540 - Rep. David A. Welter
DNR-STATE PARKS/PERMIT TO SELL
Requires all persons or entities seeking to charge fees to participants, provide items for sale, or otherwise collect money or items as part of an event located on property or facilities that are owned, leased, or managed by the Department of Natural Resources to complete a permit to sell application form to obtain a permit to sell. Provides that all revenue generated from an event shall be subject to a 10% fee payable to the Department of Natural Resources upon completion of the event. Requires all funds received by the Department to be allocated to the site at which the fees were collected. Waives activity permit fees, permit to sell fees, and facility usage fees for formally recognized Friends Groups and for all fishing tournaments and clubs
HB 4540 - Rep. David A. Welter
FISH/HUNT LICENSE FEE VETERANS
HB 4981 - Rep. Robert Rita
Provides that hunting and fishing license fees shall be one-half the price of the current license fee amount for all resident veterans, regardless of deployment (instead of only for veterans after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States).
WILDLIFE CD-RIFLE HUNTING
Defines "rifle" as any firearm designed, made, or adapted to be fired from the shoulder that uses the energy of an explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a projectile through a rifled bore by a single function of the trigger. Permits hunting with a rifle for the taking of deer; makes related changes. Provides that legal handguns and rifles include any bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 inches or any straight walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger both of which must be available as a load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.
HB 4680 - Rep. Tony McCombie
VETERAN-FISH/HUNT LICENSE
Removes provisions requiring a veteran who has served as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or reserves of the United States Armed Forces to apply in person for a fishing license at a regional office of the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish by administrative rule the documentation that qualifies as acceptable verification of service; defines "acceptable verification" of service
DNR-ABOLISH ADVISORY BOARD
Repealing the Section that created the Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board. Makes corresponding changes in the Wildlife Code and the Illinois Open Land Trust Act. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to conduct regional yearly public forums to obtain public input and comments on subjects, matters, or programs under the control of the Department of Natural Resources. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to consider all comments received during a public forum.
-You can read our thoughts on this particular bill here.
HB 4981 - Rep. Robert Rita
FISH-AQUATIC STAMPS & LICENSE
SB 3184 - Sen. Neil AndersonRequires any individual who is required to obtain a fishing license, also obtain an aquatic conservation stamp prior to taking or attempting to take fish.
FISH/HUNT LICENSE FEES
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the current fees for a fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, and hunting license are annual fees. Allows a resident to obtain a 3-year fishing license (for a fee of $45), sportsmen's combination license (for a fee of $78.75), or hunting license (for a fee of $37.50). Provides that there is no fee for an annual or 3-year fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, or hunting license for a resident Gold Star Family member.
DNR-ABOLISH ADVISORY BOARD
Repealing the Section that created the Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board. Makes corresponding changes in the Wildlife Code and the Illinois Open Land Trust Act. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to conduct regional yearly public forums to obtain public input and comments on subjects, matters, or programs under the control of the Department of Natural Resources. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to consider all comments received during a public forum.
-You can read our thoughts on this particular bill here.
Capitol Outdoors continues to track legislation throughout the legislative process and will continue to update you via our Facebook page.