Illinois 104th Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 6 D · 2 R cosponsors

HB 5165 — RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT

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

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 05, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    2 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill aims to modernize access to rivers for recreational activities.

This legislation focuses on enhancing and updating access points to rivers, promoting recreational use. It is designed to improve facilities and infrastructure for outdoor activities related to water bodies.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families will have better facilities and easier access for outdoor recreation activities by the water.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

88 added · 121 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill, now titled the Public Waters Access Task Force Act, has shifted focus from the River Access Modernization Act. It emphasizes the creation of a task force to study and enhance public access to Illinois rivers for recreational activities while respecting private property rights and environmental considerations. This change is significant because it highlights a collaborative approach to improving river access, potentially leading to better tourism and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources while ensuring safety and conservation are prioritized.

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*LRB10420238BDA33689b* HB5165 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois and 2026 HB5165 Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep.
HB5165 Engrossed LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b AN ACT concerning conservation.
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act 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, a listing of navigable waterways.
Defines "navigable water" and "publicain recreational use".
LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b A BILL FOR HB5165 LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b AN ACT concerning conservation.
This Act may be cited as the River Access Modernization Act.
This Act may be cited as the Public Waters Access Task Force Act.
Findings;
Findings.
purpose.
The General Assembly finds the following:
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Illinois' rivers provide significant ecological, recreational, and economic benefits.
(1) Illinois' navigable and public waterways are held in trust by the State for the benefit and enjoyment of its people.
(2) Access to rivers for boating, paddling, angling, and other outdoor recreation is essential to supporting tourism and public enjoyment of natural resources.
(2) Public access to and lawful recreational use of these waters promoting outdoor recreation, limited to boating, canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and angling, is in the public interest.
(3) Many communities across the State face barriers to safe, legal, and adequate river access.
(3) Clarification of public rights and private property boundaries along rivers and streams is desirable to reduce conflict, preserve habitat, and protect both public and private interests.
(4) A coordinated, statewide evaluation is necessary to identify opportunities to expand and improve river access while balancing conservation, landowner interests, and public safety.
(b) It is the purpose of this Act to affirm the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters of this State for activities, including boating, canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and angling, consistent with reasonable protection of private property rights and environmental HB5165 - 2 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b values.
(5) A significant number of waterways in Illinois are privately owned and riparian rights must be protected and respected.
Definitions.
Public Waters Access Task Force;
In this Act:
creation.
"Navigable water" means any waterway that, in its natural or improved condition, is capable of being used by the public for canoeing, boating, paddling, and angling, whether or not it is capable of commercial navigation.
HB5165 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b (a) The Public Waters Access Task Force is created to study and make recommendations for increasing and improving public access to rivers for boaters, paddlers, and anglers throughout the State.
"Navigable water" does not include any pond or lake contained entirely on private property, regardless of whether the pond or lake has a single private owner or multiple private owners.
(b) The Task Force shall consist of the following members:
"Navigable water" does not include posted wildlife refuges, security or safety zones, sensitive environmental areas, or areas designated by the Department of Natural Resources as closed areas.
(1) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;
"Navigable water" includes only the main flowage of named creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes that are identified by name on the most recent map published by the United States Geological Survey.
(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
"Navigable water" does not include unnamed branches of creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes.
(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
"Public recreational use" includes only boating, canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and angling, contingent upon compliance with all other State and federal laws during such use.
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(5) eight members appointed by the Director of Natural Resources, as follows:
(A) three members from organizations representing outdoor recreation interests;
(B) one member from a statewide organization representing cattle farmers in Illinois;
(C) one member who is a landowner in Illinois whose property includes a river;
(D) one member from a statewide organization representing real estate brokers;
(E) one member from the State's largest general agriculture association;
and (F) one member from an association that represents HB5165 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b attorneys statewide;
and (6) one member from the Department of Natural Resources designated by the Director of Natural Resources.
(c) The Task Force shall be co-chaired by:
(1) the member appointed under paragraph (6) of subsection (b);
and (2) one of the members appointed under paragraph (5) of subsection (b), selected by a majority vote of the members appointed under paragraph (5) of subsection (b).
Public right of use.
Duties of the Task Force.
(a) All navigable waters within the State are declared public only for the purpose of boating, canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and angling and are held in trust by the State for HB5165 - 3 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b the benefit of the people.
The Task Force shall:
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(b) Members of the public may use such waters and their beds for boating, canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and angling, subject to this Act and other applicable laws not in conflict with this Act.
(1) evaluate current public access to rivers across Illinois, including boat launches, public rights-of-way, private ownership, easements, and informal access points;
(c) The public right of use does not extend to crossing private uplands to reach a waterway, nor exiting a public waterway onto private land at any time for any reason, without express permission or lawful public access.
(2) identify barriers to river access, including regulatory, physical, financial, and land-use challenges;
For the purposes of this Section, levees, dikes, dams, water control devices, and other man-made structures shall be considered private property and may not be crossed without the permission of the owner, regardless of whether notice is posted.
(3) consult with local governments, conservation groups, landowners, recreational users, and other stakeholders;
Section 20.
(4) review best practices from other states for expanding river access while protecting natural resources and respecting private property rights;
Liability and landowner protections.
and (5) develop recommendations to increase and improve river access, including potential legislative, regulatory, and funding strategies.
(a) A landowner adjacent to or who holds title to the bed of a waterway owes no duty of care to persons entering upon the waterway under this Act, except for willful or wanton misconduct.
HB5165 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b Section 20.
(b) A landowner who allows public use of waters adjoining the property or who holds title to the bed of a waterway shall not be liable for injuries or property damage resulting from such use, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional harm.
Support.
The Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative, technical, and logistical support to the Task Force.
Property owner rights.
Report;
HB5165 - 4 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b (a) Nothing in this Act shall limit the ability of a landowner to lawfully restrict entry upon shoreline or upland property.
repeal.
(b) Islands that are private property are not public and the public shall have no right of entry or use unless expressly permitted by the landowner.
(a) The Task Force shall submit a final report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than one year after the effective date of this Act.
Section 30.
(b) Upon submission of the final report, the Task Force is dissolved.
Property integrity.
(c) This Act is repealed 2 years after the effective date of this Act.
(a) No person acting under this Act shall collect, injure, remove, or deface any animate or inanimate object, except for properly licensed persons under permits or licenses issued by the Department of Natural Resources.
Section 99.
(b) No person acting under this Act shall litter or alter the flora and fauna of the waterway or adjacent shorelines or islands.
Effective date.
Section 35.
This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
Rulemaking authority.
The Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules to:
(1) allow for the designation of public access points and maintain signage for navigable and recreational waters;
(2) provide for conflict resolution between landowners and recreational users;
(3) promote stewardship, safety, and conservation education related to river use;
(4) prepare a listing by county and name of waterway HB5165 - 5 - LRB104 20238 BDA 33689 b of all waterways that are declared navigable and open to the public under this Act;
and (5) implement and administer this Act.
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Amendments

3 amendments

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Action History

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

  2. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman

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

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

  5. Assigned to Appropriations

  6. Referred to Assignments

  7. First Reading

  8. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

  9. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

  10. Arrive in Senate

  11. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik

  12. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung

  13. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton

  14. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt

  15. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled

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

  17. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

  18. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted

  19. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

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

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

  22. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee

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

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

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

  26. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

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

  28. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

  29. Second Reading - Short Debate

  30. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

  31. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

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

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

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

  35. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

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

  37. Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

  38. Referred to Rules Committee

  39. First Reading

  40. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 175 not signed on · 4 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (175)

175 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading

Passed 108 Yea · 1 Nay · 9 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 68003
Republican 32106
Unaffiliated 7000
Total 107109
% of votes cast 91%1%0%8%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Du Buclet — Yea
Faver Dias — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Yea
Katz Muhl — Yea
La Ha — Yea
Williams, Jawaharial — Yea
Yang Rohr — Yea
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Yea
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anne Stava Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Yea
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Yea
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Not Voting
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Yea
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Justin Cochran Democrat Yea
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Not Voting
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Yea
Margaret A. DeLaRosa Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Not Voting
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Yea
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Yea
Amy Elik Republican Yea
Amy L. Grant Republican Not Voting
Blaine Wilhour Republican Yea
Brad Halbrook Republican Yea
Brad Stephens Republican Not Voting
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Brandun Schweizer Republican Yea
Charles Meier Republican Yea
Chris Miller Republican Yea
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Yea
Dan Swanson Republican Yea
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Yea
Dave Severin Republican Yea
David Friess Republican Yea
Dennis Tipsword Republican Not Voting
Jackie Haas Republican Not Voting
Jason R. Bunting Republican Yea
Jed Davis Republican Yea
Jeff Keicher Republican Yea
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Yea
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Yea
John M. Cabello Republican Yea
Kevin Schmidt Republican Yea
Kyle Moore Republican Yea
Martin McLaughlin Republican Yea
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Yea
Norine K. Hammond Republican Yea
Patrick Sheehan Republican Yea
Patrick Windhorst Republican Yea
Paul Jacobs Republican Yea
Regan Deering Republican Yea
Ryan Spain Republican Not Voting
Steven Reick Republican Yea
Tom Weber Republican Yea
Tony M. McCombie Republican Yea
Travis Weaver Republican Yea
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting
William E Hauter Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Agriculture & Conservation, Amendment 3

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 6000
Republican 2001
Total 8001
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Charles Meier Republican Yea
Dan Swanson Republican Yea
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Agriculture & Conservation, Amendment 2

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 6000
Republican 2001
Total 8001
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Charles Meier Republican Yea
Dan Swanson Republican Yea
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

environment transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5165?
HB 5165 is sponsored by Janet Yang Rohr (Democrat), Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. (Democrat), Harry Benton (Democrat), Sharon Chung (Democrat), Amy Elik (Republican), Kevin Schmidt (Republican), Michael W. Halpin (Democrat), and Laura Ellman (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 5165?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 05, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 5165?
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