IllinoisHB5165104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

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".

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Amy Elik

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Harry Benton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kevin Schmidt

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Laura Ellman

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sharon Chung

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 130 • No: 4

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

  1. Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

    5/22/2026Senate
  2. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman

    5/20/2026Senate
  3. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026

    5/15/2026Senate
  4. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026

    5/8/2026Senate
  5. Assigned to Appropriations

    4/28/2026Senate
  6. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  7. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  8. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    4/21/2026Senate
  9. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  10. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  11. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik

    4/16/2026House
  12. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung

    4/16/2026House
  13. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton

    4/16/2026House
  14. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt

    4/16/2026House
  15. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled

    4/16/2026House
  16. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-001-000

    4/16/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/16/2026House
  18. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted

    4/16/2026House
  19. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

    4/16/2026House
  20. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000

    4/16/2026House
  21. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

    4/15/2026House
  22. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee

    4/15/2026House
  23. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

    4/15/2026House
  24. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000

    4/14/2026House
  25. House 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

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