HB 5165 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT

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".

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 21, 2026 Last action May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was fundamentally rewritten to shift from a permanent law granting public access rights to a temporary study act. Instead of immediately establishing public rights and liability protections, the new version creates a 'Public Waters Access Task Force' to study river access issues and submit recommendations within one year. The Act is designed to expire two years after becoming law, and the new title reflects this temporary, advisory nature.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a permanent statute establishing public rights and liability rules to a temporary, one-year study commission. It no longer grants immediate public access rights or defines liability protections; instead, it authorizes a specific group of stakeholders to evaluate the situation and propose future legislation.

SCOPE

Removed the permanent 'River Access Modernization Act' provisions that immediately established public rights to use navigable waters and defined landowner liability protections.

REQUIREMENT

Added the creation of a 'Public Waters Access Task Force' consisting of legislators, industry representatives, and DNR officials to study river access barriers.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill from a permanent law to a temporary measure that must submit a final report within one year and automatically repeals itself two years after enactment.

DEFINITION

Removed specific statutory definitions for 'navigable water' and 'public recreational use' that were present in the original version.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific eligibility criteria for Task Force members, including representatives from cattle farmers, real estate brokers, and agriculture associations.

Floor votes · House Apr 16, 2026

How they voted

106–1

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 116

Apr 16, 2026

D Democratic76

73 Yea 3

96% Yea

R Republican40

33 Yea 1 Nay 6

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 22, 2026

Committee

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

upper

May 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026

upper

May 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Committee

Assigned to Appropriations

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Amended

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-001-000

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 006-003-000

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; by Voice Vote

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 6 co-sponsors