Public Act 0985 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2632 Enrolled LRB096 19606 DRJ 35000 b

Public Act 096-0985

AN ACT concerning public land.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public Land Pack and Saddle Animal Access Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Pack animal" means a beast of burden, such as a horse, mule, donkey, or llama, used as a means of transporting materials.

"Public land" means land that is open to the general public and is owned or managed by the State.

"Saddle animal" means an animal, such as a horse, that is ridden.

Section 10. Access to public land. In maintaining public land, the Department of Natural Resources, or other designated agency, shall preserve and facilitate continued use of and access to public land by pack and saddle animals where such use is currently authorized.

Section 15. Trail closure.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources, or other designated agency, may implement a reduction in access to a trail by pack and saddle animals under the following conditions:

(1) where conditions are not suitable because of significant public safety concerns or where necessary for maintenance; or

(2) for reasons related to the mission of the Department of Natural Resources or other designated agency.

(b) If a trail closure or other reduction is implemented under this Section, such closure or reduction shall be posted at the trailhead.

(c) Nothing in this Section alters or limits the State's authority to implement a temporary emergency closure of a trail or road to pack and saddle animals.