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HB 2514

To remove reference to one-time reports that have already been given.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Campbell and 6 co-sponsors

The bill lowers liability for prescribed burns, requiring gross negligence to prove damages, and mandates certified managers, written plans, and notifications to promote safe, regu

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Bill Summary · HB 2514

Summary — HB 2514 (Illinois) — Prescribed Burning; Liability and Procedures

Note: The provided document also contained unrelated text from an Arizona bill with the same number. This summary covers the Illinois HB 2514 (sponsored by Rep. Jeff Keicher) amending the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act (525 ILCS 37/10 and 37/15).

Main purpose

HB 2514 clarifies procedural requirements for conducting prescribed burns and raises the civil-liability standard for landowners, agents, and certified prescribed burn managers for damage or injury caused by a prescribed burn or resulting smoke. The bill is intended to promote prescribed burning as a land-management tool while limiting liability except in cases of gross negligence.

Key provisions

  • Definitions (amends 525 ILCS 37/10):

    • Adds/clarifies terms including “certified prescribed burn manager,” “prescription” (written plan), “agent of the landowner” (e.g., tenants, lessees with written contract), and “third-party land manager.”
    • Defines “gross negligence” as willful, wanton, and reckless conduct.

  • Pre-burn requirements (525 ILCS 37/15(a)):

    • Obtain written consent of the landowner.
    • Have a written prescription approved by a certified prescribed burn manager.
    • Have at least one certified prescribed burn manager present on site with a copy of the prescription during the burn.
    • Notify the local fire department, county or 911 dispatcher, or other designated emergency dispatcher on the day of the burn.
    • Make reasonable attempts to notify adjoining property owners/occupants of the date and time.

  • Liability (525 ILCS 37/15(b-5) and (b-10)):

    • No landowner or agent of the landowner is liable for damage, injury, or loss from a prescribed burn or its smoke unless proven to be grossly negligent.
    • No certified prescribed burn manager is liable for such damage, injury, or loss for burns conducted under an approved prescription unless proven grossly negligent.

  • Public interest and nuisance (retained/clarified):

    • Prescribed burning conducted under the Act is declared to be in the public interest, is not a public or private nuisance when done in compliance with the Environmental Protection Act and other applicable laws, and is a property right for owners using naturally occurring vegetative fuels.

  • Effective date:

    • The Act takes effect upon becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Landowners and their agents (tenants/lessees) who conduct or authorize prescribed burns.
  • Certified prescribed burn managers and third-party land managers/contractors.
  • Adjoining property owners and occupants potentially affected by fire or smoke.
  • Local emergency responders and dispatchers required to be notified.
  • Insurers, local governments, and conservation/wildfire-management programs.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Legal: Raises the civil-liability threshold to gross negligence, reducing exposure to ordinary negligence claims for prescribed-burning activities that follow the statute and approved prescriptions.
  • Operational: Encourages use of certified managers and formal prescriptions; may increase compliance costs (training, certification, written plans, notifications).
  • Public safety & air quality: Formal notification and certification requirements aim to reduce risks, but neighbors and air-quality advocates may still raise concerns about smoke impacts.
  • Policy: Could incentivize broader use of prescribed burns for ecosystem management and wildfire risk reduction by lowering liability risks for land managers.

For authoritative text, see amendments to 525 ILCS 37/10 and 37/15 (Illinois Prescribed Burning Act).

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

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