HB3596 - 104th General Assembly

WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT
Last Action
4/17/2026 - House: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that no person may discharge dredged or fill material into a State jurisdictional wetland except with a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Exempts certain activities from the requirements of the Act. Sets forth procedures for individual permit applications and other related procedural requirements. Provides that the Department shall not issue an individual permit unless the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Department that there will not be a violation of State water quality standards. Provides that the Department may issue an after-the-fact permit in certain emergency circumstances. Sets forth financial assurance requirements. Authorizes the Department to adopt general permits under the Act. Provides that any person who intends to conduct a regulated activity may do so in accordance with a general permit issued by the Department, which pre-authorizes a category of activities with minimal adverse effects. Provides procedures and requirements regarding preconstruction notifications. Provides that certain entities may establish and operate a mitigation bank or in lieu fee program. Describes procedures and requirements for mitigation banks. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides that the Department shall prepare certain reports and studies. Provides for the review of final decisions of the Department. Provides for investigations by the Department and enforcement by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General. Provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of violation, with interest after judgment, and with certain costs, fees, and expenses, payable to the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that any person may file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board concerning a violation of the Act, a rule adopted under the Act, a condition of a permit issued under the Act, or an order of the Pollution Control Board issued under the Act. Provides for county and special district stormwater program authorities to control or regulate activities in any wetlands within their jurisdiction. Establishes the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that a permit review fee for all permit applications is to be set by the Department by rule. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
In a provision concerning exemptions to the permit requirements under the Act, provides that "commenced construction" also includes contracts for energy storage resources, including a contract for the sale and purchase of Renewable Energy Credits from a brownfield photovoltaic facility as defined in the Illinois Power Agency Act. Deletes a provision that would have caused the bill to take effect immediately.
Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
HB 3596, as introduced and amended by HA 2, would not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois.
State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
HB 3596, as amended by House Amendment 2, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness.
State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
HB 3596 would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness.
Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts)
Based on a review of HB3596, HA2, the legislation will not increase or decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois.
Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Office of Management and Budget)
Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 3596, as amended by House Amendment 2 as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted.
Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Housing Development Authority)
This bill will have minimal impact on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence.
State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity)
In the opinion of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), HB 3596 HA #2 does not create a State Mandate under the State Mandates Act.
Home Rule Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity)
It is in the opinion of DCEO that HB 3596 HA#2 does not pre-empt home rule authority.
Actions
Date Chamber Action
2/07/2025 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Anna Moeller
2/18/2025 House First Reading
2/18/2025 House Referred to Rules Committee
3/07/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava
3/10/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
3/10/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
3/10/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
3/11/2025 House Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee
3/12/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi
3/12/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
3/12/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
3/21/2025 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
3/24/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke
3/26/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
3/31/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
4/07/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh
4/09/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel Didech
4/09/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
4/22/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
4/29/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
1/16/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
2/02/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
2/13/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
2/17/2026 House Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee
2/20/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
3/02/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
3/02/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
3/05/2026 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Anna Moeller
3/05/2026 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/09/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
3/13/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
3/13/2026 House Remove Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
3/13/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons
3/13/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
3/18/2026 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
3/18/2026 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Energy & Environment Committee; by Voice Vote
3/18/2026 House Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 016-008-000
3/19/2026 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/20/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
3/20/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
3/26/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris
4/02/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
4/07/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
4/07/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
4/07/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty
4/08/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Bob Morgan
4/09/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
4/10/2026 House Second Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/13/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
4/13/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
4/14/2026 House Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Charles Meier
4/14/2026 House Balanced Budget Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Correctional Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Home Rule Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Judicial Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Pension Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House Racial Impact Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House State Debt Impact Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Anna Moeller
4/14/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
4/14/2026 House Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
4/14/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
4/14/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Balanced Budget Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Correctional Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Home Rule Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Judicial Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Pension Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Racial Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 State Debt Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Charles Meier
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Energy & Environment Committee; 015-011-000
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Pension Note Filed as Amended
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 State Debt Impact Note Filed as Amended
4/15/2026 House State Debt Impact Note Filed
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Judicial Note Filed as Amended
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
4/15/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
4/15/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Balanced Budget Note Filed as Amended
4/16/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Housing Affordability Impact Note Filed as Amended
4/17/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 State Mandates Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
4/17/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Home Rule Note Filed as Amended
4/17/2026 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
4/17/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee