Bill
HB 2427
Establishes a voluntary Native to Illinois Labeling Program that certifies and labels seeds/plants native to Illinois to guide buyers toward native, locally adapted choices.
Summary (concise)
- Purpose: Establishes a voluntary state certification and labeling program — the “Native to Illinois Labeling Program” — administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources) to identify seeds and plants that are native and locally adapted to Illinois.
- Intent: Help consumers, nurseries, landscapers, and restoration practitioners identify and prefer native plants/seeds; promote ecological and educational benefits of using native species.
Key provisions
- Program establishment: Creates the Native to Illinois Labeling Program within the Department of Agriculture and requires the Department (with DNR consultation) to adopt implementing rules.
- Certification process: Producers of seeds or plants may apply for certification using Department forms. The Department must approve applications that meet statutory and rule requirements. The Department may (by rule) require third‑party certification where appropriate.
- Eligibility criteria: To carry a “Certified Native to Illinois” label, the plant or seed must be (1) living or capable of life, (2) native to Illinois as determined by the Department, and (3) conform to other Department rules.
- Labeling requirements: Product labels or market information that indicate certification must:
- Display “Certified Native to Illinois” and state that the product meets program standards;
- Include scientific (and common) name, producer name, and the county or ecoregion where the species is native and locally adapted;
- Include a statement about the importance of supporting native plants;
- May include Department name/logo, planting/care instructions, seasonal care advice, and a QR code or weblink to further information.
- Investigations & enforcement: The Department may investigate certifications and suspected violations and may refer suspected violations to the Attorney General or the relevant State’s Attorney.
- Penalties and sanctions:
- Civil penalty up to $10,000 for knowingly violating the law, enforceable by AG or State’s Attorney (civil action).
- Knowingly making a false statement to an investigator or certifying agent is a class 4 felony.
- After notice and hearing, violators who knowingly breach compliance or make false statements lose all program certifications and are ineligible for at least 5 years (Director may waive or modify).
Who is affected
- Primary: seed and plant producers seeking to market products as native to Illinois; certifying agencies (if third‑party certifiers are required).
- Secondary: retailers, landscapers, restoration practitioners, consumers, conservation groups, and state agencies involved in native plant use and education.
- State agencies: Illinois Department of Agriculture (program administrator) and Department of Natural Resources (consultant role).
Legislative status and timeline (from record)
- Introduced early February 2025. The record shows committee hearings in March and April 2025, House passage (as amended) April 29, 2025, receipt in the Senate April 30, and Senate actions including amendments and passage reported May 26, 2025. (Note: some entries also show Rule 19(a) re‑referral to Rules Committee on March 21, 2025.)
Notes and clarifications
- The provided document also includes text from a different HB 2427 (an Arizona appropriation for Tohono O'odham Community College), indicating different bills in different states share the same bill number. The summary above addresses the “Dept Ag — Native Plant Labeling” (Native to Illinois Labeling Program) content. If you want a separate summary of the Arizona appropriation text included in the file, I can add that.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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