Bill > HB3550

This bill amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act to change how penalty fees are handled. Specifically, the bill redirects penalty fees collected for violations of the Act from the State Boating Act Fund to the Water Resources Fund. Under the revised language, when someone violates the Act's provisions (such as breaking a rule, regulation, permit term, or departmental order), they can be fined up to $5,000 or two times the applicable permit fee. These penalty fees will now be deposited into the Water Resources Fund and can be used for purposes authorized under Section 59.14 of the Environmental Protection Act. The bill also stipulates that the moneys deposited into the Water Resources Fund will not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless specifically authorized by the Act. This change appears to provide more targeted funding for water resource management and enforcement activities.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3550&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104