HB 1855

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Forestry Development Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 525 ILCS 15/1 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 708/45 525 ILCS 15/5 from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9105 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Forestry Development Act. In a provision regarding a forest development cost share program under the Department of Natural Resources, provides that cost share payments shall not exceed the amount appropriated for such purposes. Provides that the Department shall create by administrative rule the criteria used to evaluate and approve cost share payment requests, with certain requirements. Provides that, starting in 2025, the Department shall file a report to the General Assembly on or before March 1 of each year with certain information. Provides that payments made under certain provisions relating to a forest development cost share program are not subject to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Makes conforming changes to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 30 ILCS 708/45 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts from the engrossed bill only the provision that requires the Department of Natural Resources to file a report in writing to the General Assembly on or before March 1 of each year with the following information from the preceding year: the total number of agreements entered into under a provision concerning a forest development cost-share program, the total amount of payments made under that provision from the Illinois Forestry Development Fund, and the total number of acres that were affected by the payments. Effective immediately.