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SB 1427

SNAPPING TURTLES-TRAP

104th Regular Session Introduced by Neil Anderson

Allows taking common snapping turtles by live traps in Illinois, with traps checked every 24 hours, flotation to keep 2 inches above water, and owner identification, under license

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Bill Summary · SB 1427

Summary — SB 1427 (Snapping turtles — live-trap conditions)

Note: The bill text supplied contains materials from multiple states. This summary focuses on the portion titled “SNAPPING TURTLES-TRAP,” which amends the Illinois Herptiles‑Herps Act (510 ILCS 68/5‑30).

Purpose

SB 1427 amends the Herptiles‑Herps Act to explicitly permit the taking of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) by live trap notwithstanding contrary administrative rules, and to set specific minimum conditions for use of live traps.

Key provisions

  • Adds an exception to the methods-of-take rules to allow common snapping turtles to be taken by live traps subject to specified requirements.
  • Required conditions for any live trap used to take common snapping turtles:
    • Traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours.
    • Traps must be equipped with flotation equipment sufficient to keep at least 2 inches of the trap’s containment area above the water surface.
    • Each live trap must be marked with the owner’s name and address or the owner’s Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) customer number.
  • Maintains existing licensing and season framework:
    • Persons taking common snapping turtles must possess a valid sport fishing license issued under the Fish and Aquatic Life Code (Article 20).
    • Open season, daily catch limits, and possession limits remain subject to administrative rulemaking (the bill does not change how limits or seasons are set).
  • The bill is written to operate “notwithstanding any administrative rule to the contrary,” i.e., it preempts conflicting administrative restrictions on the use of live traps for snapping turtles.

Who is affected

  • Licensed anglers and trappers who take common snapping turtles in Illinois.
  • Illinois Department of Natural Resources (enforcement, permitting/customer numbering, and rule implementation).
  • Landowners and waterbody users where traps might be deployed.
  • Potentially animal welfare and conservation stakeholders, who may monitor compliance and population impacts.

Procedural status & sponsors

  • Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly January 31, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Sen. Neil Anderson.
  • Related/companion measures listed: SB 1347 and HB 1108 (as companions).
  • Further action (committee referrals, readings, votes) should be checked in the official Illinois legislative docket for up-to-date status.

Potential considerations / likely impacts

  • Public safety & accountability: marking traps with owner information increases traceability and responsibility.
  • Animal welfare & bycatch: 24‑hour checks and flotation may reduce drowning and suffering for non‑target animals but do not eliminate bycatch risk.
  • Conservation: effectiveness depends on possession and daily limits set by administrative rule and enforcement of trap requirements; increased trapping access could affect local snapping turtle populations if not managed.
  • Regulatory interplay: by preempting conflicting administrative rules, the act limits agency discretion regarding trap prohibition; agencies will still set seasons and limits.

For current bill status, amendments, fiscal notes, or committee reports, consult the Illinois General Assembly website or the DNR.

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

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