HB 5130 & SB 2824 - DNR WORST CASE ANALYSIS SCENARIO - Illinois 100th GA

Senate Sponsors
Sen. David Koehler

Filed: SB 2824 on 2/13/2018

House Sponsors
Rep. Jay Hoffman

Filed: HB 5130 2/15/18

Synopsis As Introduced:

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that when considering whether to issue a permit for construction or maintenance or repair of a levee or flood wall under a provision in the Act, the Department of Natural Resources shall consider the flood discharge that would just overtop a levee or flood wall when conducting a worst-case scenario analysis. Defines "worst-case scenario analysis". Effective immediately.

SB 2824 Last Actions:

• 2/13/2018 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. David Koehler
• 2/13/2018 Senate First Reading
• 2/13/2018 Senate Referred to Assignments
• 2/20/2018 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro
• 2/21/2018 Senate Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino
• 2/21/2018 Senate Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. William R. Haine
• 2/21/2018 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Heather A. Steans
• 2/21/2018 Senate Assigned to Environment and Conservation
• 2/27/2018 Senate Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins
• 3/1/2018 Senate Do Pass Environment and Conservation; 008-000-000
• 3/1/2018 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 13, 2018

HB 5130 Last Actions:

• 2/15/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman
• 2/16/2018 House First Reading
• 2/16/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/20/2018 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
• 2/22/2018 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Halpin
• 3/1/2018 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. LaToya Greenwood
• 3/5/2018 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

HB 5066 & SB 3247 - IDOT/DNR LAND TRANSFERS- Illinois 100th GA

House Sponsors
Rep. Avery Bourne

Filed: HB 5066 on 2/14/2018

Senate Sponsors
Sen. Dale Fowler

Filed: SB 3247 on 2/14/2018

Synopsis As Introduced:

Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make certain real estate conveyances in Bureau County, Menard County, and Pulaski County, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to make certain real estate conveyances in Grundy County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, Montgomery County, Tazewell County, and Mason County, subject to specified conditions. Effective immediately.

HB 5066 Last Actions:

• 2/14/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Avery Bourne
• 2/14/2018 House First Reading
• 2/14/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee

SB 3247 Last Actions:

• 2/16/2018 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Dale Fowler
• 2/16/2018 Senate First Reading
• 2/16/2018 Senate Referred to Assignments
• 2/27/2018 Senate Assigned to Judiciary

HB 5049 - Youth Deer Permits - Illinois 100th GA

House Sponsors
Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

Filed: HB 5049 on 2/14/2018

Synopsis As Introduced:

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that deer hunting permits for youth hunters shall be open statewide and not limited to one specific county.

Last Actions:

• 2/14/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Michael J. Zalewski
• 2/14/2018 House First Reading
• 2/14/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 3/5/2018 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

HB 5015 - DNR Programs Equipment - Illinois 100th GA

House Sponsors
Rep. Ryan Spain

Filed: HB 5015 on 2/14/2018

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 5015

Amend House Bill 5015 on page 2, line 15, after the period, by inserting "The Department shall not be liable for civil damages arising from a volunteer operating his or her own light equipment in carrying out functions granted by the Department, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the Department."; and  on page 4, line 14, after the period, by inserting "The Department shall not be liable for civil damages arising from a volunteer operating his or her own light equipment in carrying out functions granted by the Department, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the Department.".

Synopsis As Introduced:

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Amends provisions concerning the Department of Natural Resources Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Trail programs. Provides that a volunteer may bring his or her own light equipment, including, but not limited to, a lawn mower, chainsaw, or other appropriate equipment to carry out functions granted by the Department at his or her own risk, so long as it does not interfere with work historically performed by Department employees.

Last Actions:

• 2/14/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Ryan Spain
• 2/14/2018 House First Reading
• 2/14/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 3/5/2018 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• 4/4/2018 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Ryan Spain
• 4/4/2018 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
• 4/9/2018 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• 4/9/2018 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 017-000-000
• 4/9/2018 House Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 017-000-000
• 4/10/2018 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
• 4/27/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
• 4/27/2018 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Governor Rauner Releases Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Illinois Department of Natural Resource Budget

Governor Rauner Releases Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Illinois Department of Natural Resource Budget

Photos from the Office of Management & Budget & the DNR 

Today Governor Rauner released his FY19 proposed operating budget for the DNR.  You can find it on page 262 of the Proposed Operating Budget.  An operating budget is where 'appropriations are for consumable goods and services such as salaries and benefits, commodities, utilities, and professional services that are purchased and used during any one fiscal year.' 

The Governor is proposing a 1.5% increase from FY18 that would support a Conservation Officer Trainee class which will be required due to retirement and other similar situations. This proposed budget also maintains a fully funded historic preservation department which the IDNR acquired during 2017.  Hunting and fishing licenses will remain the same price for FY19 while maintaining operations of all state parks and campgrounds.

If this is your first time looking at the DNR budget, it can be overwhelming due to the fact that there are many different programs, departments and funds associated with the agency.  You can find this breakdown on page 263 of the Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget.

The Governor also proposed a Capital Budget for the IDNR.  A Capital Budget is when 'appropriations are for assets that have a long-term useful life, such as buildings, highways, underground or surface infrastructure, durable equipment and land. Capital appropriations may span multiple fiscal years.' You can find the DNR Capital Appropriations beginning on page 56 of the Governor Proposed FY19 Capital Budget.

Over several years, the DNR has gone without capital appropriations and with that came deterioration of many DNR properties.  A fully funded capital budget in FY19 will allow the agency to do the over $24 million improvements that they have identified. These projects are highlighted on page 57 of this budget.

The fiscal year 2019 proposed budget provides funding for a complete DNR capital program. This includes: 

• The continuation of prior year outdoor grant projects, flood hazard mitigation buyouts, mined lands reclamation, recreational trail and water resources programming; 
• Additional spending authority to finish previously awarded projects; and 
• Pay-as-you-go appropriations allowing the department to carry out projects and programming that are both core to its mission and can allow for federal match or reimbursement. 

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS 

The recommended fiscal year 2019 capital budget continues to fund grants and programs that were included in the fiscal year 2018 budget. 

• Additional spending authority to finish out prior year obligations is included, such as: 
•  $25 million in authority to fund previous years’ awards for the Museum Grant Program; and  

• $64 million to continue prior year grants from the Park and Recreational Facilities (PARC) program. 

• $30.5 million is included for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) projects, including $15.0 million for new projects in fiscal year 2019.

As hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts we understand how bad the DNR needs this capital appropriation to just maintain our state parks and make them more enjoyable for all visitors.

As a reminder, this is the Governor's Proposed budget, it has not been enacted or approved.  This begins the long negotiations of a budget in Illinois, so continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors throughout this process. 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe