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HB5165 • 2026
RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5165 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience.
Plain English: Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5165 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience.
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
Assigned to Appropriations
Arrive in Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee ; 008-000-000
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-001-000
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee ; 008-000-000
Second Reading - Short Debate
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee ; by Voice Vote
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee ; 006-003-000
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT
Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5165 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience. In no way should it be considered accurate as to the translation of any content herein. Visitors of the Illinois General Assembly website are encouraged to use other translation services available on the internet. The English language version is always the official and authoritative version of this website. NOTE: To return to the original English language version, select the "Show Original" button on the Google Translate™ menu bar at the top of the window. 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Full Text of HB5165 Home Legislation Full Text HB5165 - 104th General Assembly Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Select Menu Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Printer Friendly Version Introduced Engrossed House Amendment 001 House Amendment 002 House Amendment 003 Printer Friendly Version Introduced Engrossed House Amendment 001 House Amendment 002 House Amendment 003 Open PDF HB5165 Engrossed LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b 1 AN ACT concerning conservation. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public 5 Waters Access Task Force Act. 6 Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the 7 following: 8 (1) Illinois' rivers provide significant ecological, 9 recreational, and economic benefits. 10 (2) Access to rivers for boating, paddling, angling, 11 and other outdoor recreation is essential to supporting 12 tourism and public enjoyment of natural resources. 13 (3) Many communities across the State face barriers to 14 safe, legal, and adequate river access. 15 (4) A coordinated, statewide evaluation is necessary 16 to identify opportunities to expand and improve river 17 access while balancing conservation, landowner interests, 18 and public safety. 19 (5) A significant number of waterways in Illinois are 20 privately owned and riparian rights must be protected and 21 respected. 22 Section 10. Public Waters Access Task Force; creation. HB5165 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b 1 (a) The Public Waters Access Task Force is created to 2 study and make recommendations for increasing and improving 3 public access to rivers for boaters, paddlers, and anglers 4 throughout the State. 5 (b) The Task Force shall consist of the following members: 6 (1) one member appointed by the President of the 7 Senate; 8 (2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the 9 Senate; 10 (3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House 11 of Representatives; 12 (4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the 13 House of Representatives; 14 (5) eight members appointed by the Director of Natural 15 Resources, as follows: 16 (A) three members from organizations representing 17 outdoor recreation interests; 18 (B) one member from a statewide organization 19 representing cattle farmers in Illinois; 20 (C) one member who is a landowner in Illinois 21 whose property includes a river; 22 (D) one member from a statewide organization 23 representing real estate brokers; 24 (E) one member from the State's largest general 25 agriculture association; and 26 (F) one member from an association that represents HB5165 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b 1 attorneys statewide; and 2 (6) one member from the Department of Natural 3 Resources designated by the Director of Natural Resources. 4 (c) The Task Force shall be co-chaired by: 5 (1) the member appointed under paragraph (6) of 6 subsection (b); and 7 (2) one of the members appointed under paragraph (5) 8 of subsection (b), selected by a majority vote of the 9 members appointed under paragraph (5) of subsection (b). 10 Section 15. Duties of the Task Force. The Task Force 11 shall: 12 (1) evaluate current public access to rivers across 13 Illinois, including boat launches, public rights-of-way, 14 private ownership, easements, and informal access points; 15 (2) identify barriers to river access, including 16 regulatory, physical, financial, and land-use challenges; 17 (3) consult with local governments, conservation 18 groups, landowners, recreational users, and other 19 stakeholders; 20 (4) review best practices from other states for 21 expanding river access while protecting natural resources 22 and respecting private property rights; and 23 (5) develop recommendations to increase and improve 24 river access, including potential legislative, regulatory, 25 and funding strategies. HB5165 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b 1 Section 20. Support. The Department of Natural Resources 2 shall provide administrative, technical, and logistical 3 support to the Task Force. 4 Section 25. Report; repeal. 5 (a) The Task Force shall submit a final report containing 6 its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 7 General Assembly no later than one year after the effective 8 date of this Act. 9 (b) Upon submission of the final report, the Task Force is 10 dissolved. 11 (c) This Act is repealed 2 years after the effective date 12 of this Act. 13 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 14 becoming law. Footer Disclaimer This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly by the Legislative Information System, 705 Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Contact ILGA Webmaster ILGA.gov uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse ILGA.gov you consent to our use of cookies. 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