Sen. Tim Bivins

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change to a provision that identifies species protected by the Code.

Amends the Short Term Borrowing Act. Provides that, when debt is incurred to address failures in revenues of the State, the required notice must contain a detailed plan to repay the debt. Provides that no debt may be incurred under the Act for the purpose of addressing failures in revenues of the State unless a majority of each chamber of the General Assembly has approved the borrowing by a recorded majority vote. Provides that no debt may be incurred under the Act while any debt previously incurred under this Act remains outstanding, unless a majority of each chamber of the General Assembly has approved the new borrowing by a recorded majority vote. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a provision concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires that the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal's State employee information database include the specified information on General Assembly members and legislative branch employees. Amends the Legislative Information System Act. Requires that the General Assembly's website include a link to the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Limits a person's total service in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House, or Minority Leader of the Senate to a total of 8 years in any one of those offices or combination of presiding and minority leader offices in the same house of the General Assembly. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to service on or after the second Wednesday in January, 2011.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts, from provisions prohibiting the sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of specified weapons, an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re-enacting group possessing a vintage rifle or modern reproduction thereof with a barrel or barrels less than 16 inches in length if: the modification is required and necessary to accurately portray the weapon for historical re-enactment purposes; the re-enactor possesses a valid and current re-enacting group membership credential; the overall length of the weapon as modified is not less than 26 inches; and the vintage rifle or modern reproduction thereof is used only during the historical re-enactment.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2009, the tax with respect to textbooks required for use at State universities and public community colleges or certain other institutions of higher learning is imposed under these Acts at the rate of 1.25% (eliminating the State's portion of the tax). Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Amends the State Finance Act to adjust the distribution with respect to this tax. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Ends the current exemption for disabled veterans with the 2010 tax year. Beginning with the 2011 tax year, provides a property tax exemption for property that is owned and used as a homestead by a disabled veteran or the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran. Provides that the amount of the exemption is an amount equal to the assessed value of the property multiplied by the percentage of disability of the veteran. Sets forth requirements for the exemptions. Provides that a surviving spouse may transfer the exemption to homestead property acquired after the veteran's death. Requires an annual application for the exemptions. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Prohibits the General Assembly from voting on final passage of any appropriations bill unless the bill has been filed or last amended, whichever is later, at least 7 calendar days prior to the vote. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Finance Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Requires that the General Assembly convene on the second Wednesday of January in each odd-numbered year (now, each year). Requires that the Governor biennially submit a budget to the General Assembly for the 2 ensuing fiscal years (now, annually submit a budget for the ensuing fiscal year). Effective upon being declared adopted and applies beginning in 2011.