SB2632 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 19606 DRJ 35000 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB2632

Introduced 1/20/2010, by Sen. Gary Forby

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Public Land Pack and Saddle Animal Access Act. Provides that neither the State nor any person may deny an individual's use of a pack or saddle animal on a trail or road for the purpose of gaining access to public land if the public land has been designated by the State as land upon which such an animal may be used. Provides for exceptions. Provides that nothing in these provisions shall be construed to require or encourage the exclusion of pack or saddle animals from trails developed on public land after the effective date of the Act.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

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:

(1) is owned or managed by the State; or

(2) the acquisition or management of which is funded in whole or in part using State moneys.

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

Section 10. Access to public land.

(a) Neither the State nor any person may deny an individual's use of a pack or saddle animal on a trail or road for the purpose of gaining access to public land if the public land has been designated by the State as land upon which such an animal may be used.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), access to public land may be restricted (i) where conditions are not suitable because of public safety concerns or necessary maintenance or (ii) for reasons related to the mission of the agency that owns or manages the land. If access to public land is restricted as authorized under this subsection (b), a written statement must be posted at the trailhead stating the cause and estimated duration of the restriction.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or encourage the exclusion of pack or saddle animals from trails developed on public land after the effective date of this Act.