All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 4
IllinoisHB5165104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House
RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT
Sponsored By: Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. (Democratic)
Passed
Summary
Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines "navigable water" and "public recreational use".
agriculture & conservationassignmentsappropriations
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Amy Elik
Republican • House
Harry Benton
Democratic • House
Janet Yang Rohr
Democratic • House
Kevin Schmidt
Republican • House
Laura Ellman
Democratic • Senate
Michael W. Halpin
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Chung
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/16/2026
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 108 • No: 1
House vote • 4/16/2026
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee;
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee;
Yes: 6 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
5/22/2026SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
5/20/2026SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
5/15/2026SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
5/8/2026SenateAssigned to Appropriations
4/28/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
4/21/2026SenateFirst Reading
4/21/2026SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
4/21/2026SenateArrive in Senate
4/21/2026SenateAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
4/16/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
4/16/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton
4/16/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled
4/16/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-001-000
4/16/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
4/14/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed
House Amendment 1
House Amendment 2
House Amendment 3
Introduced
Related Bills
HB4154 — PHARMACIST APPLICATION/EXAM
HB4890 — UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
Creates the Dependency Determinations for Unaccompanied Children Act. Creates a process for an unaccompanied child in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement housed in Illinois who is alleged to have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to file a petition seeking a finding of dependency under the Act. Provides that a child declared dependent is eligible for oversight and services as ordered by the court and may be referred for psychological, educational, medical, or social services deemed necessary as a result of parental abuse, abandonment, or neglect or for protection against trafficking or domestic violence. Defines terms. Makes legislative findings. Effective immediately.
HB0598 — GOVERNMENT-TECH
Amends the Salaries Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
SB0314 — BUSINESS-TECH
Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
HB3428 — LONG-TERM CARE JOINT TRAINING
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to hold semiannual joint training sessions for surveyors, nursing home providers, and assisted living establishment providers. Provides that the Department shall include the State long-term care ombudsman, or the State long-term care ombudsman's designee, and representatives of each nursing home provider association and assisted living provider association in the State in the planning process to create the topics and content of the joint training sessions as well as the coordination and presentations for the joint training sessions. Provides that, at least annually, a joint training session shall include, but not be limited to, regional citation patterns relating to complaints, standards, and outcomes in the nursing home and assisted living survey process. Requires the Department to develop standardized training for establishments to prevent common citations in the assisted living survey process.
SB1265 — ENVTL BARRIER-ENFORCEMENT DATA
Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Requires the Attorney General to provide, by January 31, 2026 and every January 31 thereafter (rather than by July 31, 2020 and every July 31 thereafter), data on the Attorney General's website about annual enforcement efforts performed under the Act. Effective immediately.