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HB 3678

DNR-VARIOUS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Crawford and 4 co-sponsors

The act updates DNR licensing rules, strengthens hunter education requirements, and grants discretionary authority for snowmobile inspections and license suspensions.

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Bill Summary · HB 3678

HB 3678 — DNR — VARIOUS (Public Act 104‑0325)

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104‑0325). Governor approved Aug 15, 2025; effective Jan 1, 2026.
Introduced: Feb 18, 2025 (Rep. Katie Stuart). Senate chief sponsor: Sen. Michael W. Halpin. Companion: SB 1512.

Purpose / Intent

Make targeted statutory changes to the Illinois Wildlife Code and related statutes to (1) revise licensing and penalty provisions administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), (2) modify the Apprentice Hunter License program rules, and (3) adjust select enforcement and juvenile‑related provisions in related Acts (including the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act and the Juvenile Court Act).

Key provisions (summary)

  • Wildlife Code amendments (multiple sections: 520 ILCS 5/2.38, 3.1‑5, 3.2, 3.5, 3.36)

    • Fraud and license‑related penalties: removes some existing language that mandated the DNR suspend privileges “for a period of not less than one year” for specified licensing fraud violations and removes certain 5‑year suspension limitation language. The bill instead requires the Department to suspend privileges for specified violations for a period of one year (and makes related technical changes).
    • Apprentice Hunter License Program:
    • Deletes the statutory statement that the Apprentice Hunter License is non‑renewable and that it “shall expire on the March 31 following the date of issuance.” (This allows the Department administrative authority to establish renewal terms consistent with other rules.)
    • Retains the $7 application fee and supervision requirements (private property supervised by a licensed hunter 21+; public property supervised by a licensed hunter 21+ who has a hunter education certificate).
    • Certificate of competency / hunter education:
    • Removes the previous statutory exemption that allowed persons born on or after Jan 1, 1980 to avoid the hunter education certificate requirement if they had previously held a hunting license in Illinois or another state. After the change, that exemption is deleted (strengthening the certificate requirement for those covered).
    • Technical and conforming edits throughout the Wildlife Code.

  • Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act (625 ILCS 40/2‑2)

    • Changes an officer’s required action after a snowmobile inspection from “must” to “may” issue a summons (shifts a mandatory duty to discretionary authority).

  • Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/5‑125, 5‑915)

    • Makes changes related to jurisdiction and expungement (statutory text is amended; consult the Act for the specific procedural changes).

Who is affected

  • Hunters and prospective hunters (including apprentices and people subject to hunter education requirements).
  • Persons accused/convicted of fraudulent procurement or falsification of licenses, permits, or tags (suspension language and durations changed).
  • Department of Natural Resources (administration of apprentice licenses, suspensions, and enforcement practices).
  • Law enforcement officers conducting snowmobile inspections.
  • Juvenile court participants affected by modified jurisdiction/expungement rules.

Legislative actions & votes

  • Passed House and Senate (House recorded vote 46‑11‑0; Senate 104‑0‑0). Sent to Governor June 20, 2025; approved Aug 15, 2025. Effective date Jan 1, 2026.

Notes / implementation

  • The Act makes both substantive and technical changes; DNR rulemaking and administrative guidance may follow to implement changes to the Apprentice Hunter program, suspension procedures, and education requirements.
  • For full statutory language and precise operative text, consult Public Act 104‑0325 (enrolled bill and the printed Public Act).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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