HB3265eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3265 Engrossed LRB101 08826 SLF 53915 b

AN ACT concerning animals.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Herptiles-Herps Act is amended by changing Sections 1-5, 1-15, 5-5, 5-20, 5-30, 5-35, 10-40, 20-30, 25-30, 45-5, 55-5, 65-5, 90-5, 95-10, 100-5, 105-10, 105-35, 105-55, 105-75, 105-100, and 110-5, by adding Sections 5-2, and by adding Article 37 as follows:

(510 ILCS 68/1-5)

Sec. 1-5. Purpose. For purposes of this Act, reptiles and amphibians shall be exempt from the definition of "aquatic life" under Section 1-20 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, except for regulating fishing and consumptive take of herptile species. All rules and enforcement actions under the Illinois Conservation Law and the dangerous animals provisions in Section 48-10 of the Criminal Code of 2012 related to reptiles and amphibians shall be covered exclusively by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/1-15)

Sec. 1-15. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms are defined as:

"Administrative rule" means a regulatory measure issued by the Director under this Act.

"Authorized law enforcement officer" means all sworn members of the Law Enforcement Division of the Department and those persons specifically granted law enforcement authorization by the Director.

"Bona fide scientific or educational institution" means confirming educational or scientific tax-exemption, from the federal Internal Revenue Service or the applicant's national, state, or local tax authority, or a statement of accreditation or recognition as an educational institution.

"Contraband" means all reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life taken, bought, sold or bartered, shipped, or held in possession or any conveyance, vehicle, watercraft, or other means of transportation whatsoever, except sealed railroad cars or other sealed common carriers, used to transport or ship any reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life taken, contrary to this Act, including administrative rules, or used to transport, contrary to this Act, including administrative rules, any of the specified species when taken illegally.

"Culling" means picking out from others and removing rejected members because of inferior quality.

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"Educational program" means a program of organized instruction or study for providing education intended to meet a public need.

"Endangered or threatened species" means any species listed as endangered or threatened to the species level on either the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Fauna or the federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service List of Threatened and Endangered Species.

"Herptile" means collectively any amphibian or reptile taxon, whether indigenous to this State or not.

"Indigenous or native taxa" means those amphibians and reptiles to the subspecies level that can be found naturally in this State.

"Individual" means a natural person.

"Medically significant" means a venomous or poisonous species whose venom or toxin can cause death or serious illness or injury in humans that may require emergency room care or the immediate care of a physician. These species are categorized as being "medically significant" or "medically important".

"Owner" means an individual who has a legal right to the possession of a herptile.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited liability company, joint venture, or group.

"Possession limit" means the maximum number or amount of herptiles that can be lawfully held or possessed by one person at any time.

"Possessor" means any person who possesses, keeps, harbors, brings into the State, cares for, acts as a custodian for, has in his or her custody or control, or holds a property right to a herptile.

"Reptile show" means any event open to the public, for a fee or without a fee, that is not a licensed pet store, where herptiles or herptiles together with other animals are exhibited, displayed, sold, bought, traded, or otherwise made available for public display.

"Resident" means a person who in good faith makes application for any license or permit and verifies by statement that he or she has maintained his or her permanent abode in this State for a period of at least 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the person's application, and who does not maintain permanent abode or claim residency in another state for the purposes of obtaining any of the same or similar licenses or permits under this Act. A person's permanent abode is his or her fixed and permanent dwelling place, as distinguished from a temporary or transient place of residence. Domiciliary intent is required to establish that the person is maintaining his or her permanent abode in this State. Evidence of domiciliary intent includes, but is not limited to, the location where the person votes, pays personal income tax, or obtains a drivers license. Any person on active duty in the Armed Forces shall be considered a resident of Illinois during his or her period of military duty.

"Special use herptile" means any taxon of amphibian or reptile including, but not limited to, crocodilians, Komodo dragons, crocodile monitor lizards, or venomous species for which a Herptile Special Use permit is required to acquire and possess.

"Take" means possess, collect, catch, detain, hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare, harass, or an attempt to do so.

"Transport" or "ship" means to convey by parcel post, express, freight, baggage, or shipment by common carrier or any description; by automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle of any kind; by water or aircraft of any kind; or by any other means of transportation.

"Turtle farming" means the act of breeding, hatching, raising, selling turtles, or any combination commercially for the purpose of providing turtles, turtle eggs, or turtle parts to pet suppliers, exporters, and food industries.

"Wildlife sanctuary" means any non-profit organization that: (1) is exempt from taxation under the federal Internal Revenue Code and is currently confirmed as tax exempt by the federal Internal Revenue Service; (2) operates a place of refuge where wild animals are provided care for their lifetime or released back to their natural range; (3) does not conduct activities on animals in its possession that are not inherent to the animal's nature; (4) does not use animals in its possession for entertainment; (5) does not sell, trade, or barter animals in its possession or parts of those animals; and (6) does not breed animals in its possession.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/5-2 new)

Sec. 5-2. Herptiles under this Act. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to take, harass, disturb, possess, transport, cause to be shipped, commercialize, propagate, move, relocate, or release into the wild, any herptile whether dead or alive or the parts of herptiles, including, but not limited to, their nests and eggs, contrary to provisions of this Act or administrative rules. Any person who violates this Section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(510 ILCS 68/5-5)

Sec. 5-5. Possession limits.

(a) The possession limit for indigenous amphibian and reptile taxa (excluding common snapping turtles and bullfrogs) is 8 total collectively with no more than 4 per species. Young of gravid wild-collected amphibians and reptiles shall be returned to the site of adult capture after birth.

(b) Only residents may possess herptiles collected from the wild within this State under a valid sport fishing license; non-residents may not possess herptiles collected from the wild within this State except for scientific purposes, with a Herptile Scientific Collection permit or for personal consumption as authorized by the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

(c) All herptile species (other than bullfrogs and common snapping turtles) may be captured by hand only, unless otherwise authorized. This shall not restrict the use of legally taken herptiles as bait by anglers as authorized by the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Any captured herptiles that are not to be retained in the possession of the captor shall be immediately released at the site of capture, unless taken with a lethal method such as bow and arrow, gig, spear, or pitchfork which does not permit release without harm. All common snapping turtles and bullfrogs taken for personal consumption must be kept and counted in the daily catch creel or bag. No culling of these 2 species for personal consumption is permitted.

(d) The trier of fact may infer that a person is collecting from the wild within this State if he or she possesses indigenous reptiles or amphibians, in whole or in part, if no documentation exists stating that the animals were legally collected from the wild outside of this State.

(e) Residents may possess a total of 8 native herp specimens collectively, with no more than 4 per species, without obtaining and possessing either a Herptile Scientific Collection permit or Herpetoculture permit from the Department, regardless of the origin of the species. A sport fishing license is required for residents, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, to legally collect any native herp taxon on private land, with the landowner's permission. Collecting herptiles on public lands shall require additional permits.

(f) Any resident wishing to possess more than his or her allowed possession limit shall first apply to the Department for a Herptile Scientific Collection permit or Herpetoculture permit to do so. Issuance, modification, or denial of any and all of these permits shall be at the sole discretion of the Department.

(g) Due to the similarity of appearance (S/A) of certain intergrade or hybrid specimens, the Department retains the authority to enforce any and all provisions under this Act. Specimens determined by the Department, or its agents, to fit into this S/A category shall receive all benefits of this Act, as well as the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act if applicable, and shall be included in an individual's overall possession limit.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/5-20)

Sec. 5-20. Taking of endangered or threatened species.

(a) No person shall take or possess any of the herptiles listed in the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act or subsequent administrative rules, except as provided by this that Act and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act.

(b) Any Department-permitted threatened or endangered (T/E) herptile species shall be exempt from an individual's overall possession limit under the permitting system set forth in this Act. However, any and all T/E specimens shall be officially recorded with the Department's Endangered Species Conservation Program. Any species occurring on the federal T/E list also requires a Department permit for possession, propagation, sale, or offer for sale unless otherwise permitted through the Department.

(c) Due to the similarity of appearance (S/A) of certain intergrade or hybrid specimens, the Department retains the authority to enforce any and all provisions under this Act. Specimens determined by the Department, or agents, to fit into this S/A category shall receive all benefits of this Act, as well as the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act if applicable, and shall be included in an individual's overall possession limit.

(d) Federally licensed exhibits shall not be exempt from the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act or this Act.

(e) Any changes in T/E permit numbers for herptiles by current, existing permit holders shall be reported to the Department in writing no later than the first business day after that change occurred. Requests for permits by any resident acquiring a T/E species who is not permitted shall not be issued after-the-fact.

(f) Annual reports are due by January 31 of each year for the preceding year's activities. Failure to submit the annual report by the due date shall result in a permit violation.

(g) An annual fee for herptile T/E species permits, per permittee, shall be set by administrative rule. All fees for herptile T/E species permits shall be deposited into the Wildlife Preservation Fund.

(h) Procedures for acquisition, breeding, and sales of T/E herptile species shall be set forth in administrative rule.

(i) Record keeping requirements for T/E herptile species shall be set forth in administrative rule.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/5-30)

Sec. 5-30. Taking of turtles or bullfrogs; illegal devices.

(a) No person shall take turtles or bullfrogs by commercial fishing devices, including dip nets, hoop nets, traps, or seines, or by the use of firearms, airguns, or gas guns. Turtles may be taken only by methods as provided in administrative rule hand or means of hook and line.

(b) Bullfrog; common snapping turtle; open season.

(1) All individuals taking bullfrogs shall possess a valid sport fishing license, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, and may take bullfrogs only during the open season to be specified by administrative rule. Bullfrogs may only be taken by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or landing net.

(2) The daily catch limit and total possession limit for all properly licensed persons shall be specified by administrative rule.

(3) All persons taking common snapping turtles shall possess a valid sport fishing license, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, and may take common snapping turtles only during the open season to be specified by administrative rule. Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) may be taken only by methods as provided in administrative rule hand, hook and line, or bow and arrow, except in the counties listed in administrative rule Section 5-35 where bowfishing for common snapping turtles is not allowed.

(4) The daily catch limit and total possession limit for all properly licensed persons shall be specified by administrative rule.

(c) (Blank). The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is protected and may not be taken by any method including, but not limited to, any sport fishing method.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/5-35)

Sec. 5-35. Areas closed to the taking of reptiles and amphibians.

(a) Unless otherwise provided allowed by law or administrative rule, the taking of reptiles and amphibians at any time and by any method is prohibited in the following areas:

The LaRue-Pine Hills or Otter Pond Research Natural Area in Union County. The closed area shall include the Research Natural Area as designated by the U.S. Forest Service and the right-of-way of Forest Road 345 with Forest Road 236 to the intersection of Forest Road 345 with the Missouri Pacific railroad tracks. Unless otherwise authorized, possession of any collecting equipment is prohibited within the closed area.

Any area the Department may close for any reason including biological significance or disease through administrative rules.

(b) (Blank). In the following counties bowfishing for common snapping turtles is not permitted: Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski, and Alexander, or in any additional counties added through administrative rule.

(c) (Blank). Collection of wild turtles for races or other types of events involving congregating and gathering numbers of wild turtles is prohibited in counties where ranavirus has been documented. Inclusion on the county list shall be determined by rule.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/10-40)

Sec. 10-40. Additional regulations. Venomous reptiles shall not be bred, sold, or offered for sale within this State. The Department may approve limited transfers among existing permittees at the sole discretion of the Department.

As determined by the Department, non-residents may apply for a permit not to exceed 15 consecutive days to use venomous reptiles in bona fide educational programs. The fee for the permit shall be set by administrative rule, and all fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/20-30)

Sec. 20-30. Additional regulations. Crocodilians shall not be bred, sold, or offered for sale within this State. The Department may approve limited transfers among existing permittees at the sole discretion of the Department.

As determined by the Department, non-residents may apply for a permit not to exceed 15 consecutive days to use crocodilians in bona fide educational programs. The fee for this permit shall be set by administrative rule, and all fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/25-30)

Sec. 25-30. Additional regulations. Monitor lizards shall not be bred, sold, or offered for sale within this State. The Department may approve limited transfers among existing permittees at the sole discretion of the Department.

As determined by the Department, non-residents may apply for a permit not to exceed 15 consecutive days to use monitor lizards in bona fide educational programs. The fee for the permit shall be set by administrative rule, and all fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/Art. 37 heading new)

ARTICLE 37. HERPTILE DISEASES.

(510 ILCS 68/37-5 new)

Sec. 37-5. Herptile diseases. The Department may investigate, in conjunction with a licensed veterinarian, any disease transmissions in any amphibian or reptile species that could be transmitted or spread, including any natural or captive populations. The Department may adopt administrative rules to identify specific herptile diseases, pathogens, or fungi, as well as treatment and caretaking requirements. Any herptile harboring a disease, pathogen, or fungus specified in administrative rule may be subject to confiscation and forfeiture.

(510 ILCS 68/45-5)

Sec. 45-5. Permit application and fees. An applicant for a Herptile Scientific Collection permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department. The application must include all information and requirements as set by administrative rule. The application for these permits shall be reviewed by the Department to determine if a permit should be issued.

Unless addressed or exempted by administrative rule, annual permit renewal must be accompanied by non-refundable fee as set by the Department. The annual fee for a Herptile Scientific Collection permit shall be set by administrative rule. The Department shall adopt, by administrative rule, any additional procedures for the renewal of a Herptile Scientific Collection permit. All fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Fish and Wildlife Preservation Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/55-5)

Sec. 55-5. Permit application and fees. An applicant for a Herpetoculture permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department. The application must include all information and requirements as set forth by administrative rule. The application for these permits shall be reviewed by the Department to determine if a permit should be issued.

Unless addressed or exempted by administrative rule, annual permit renewal must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee as set by the Department. The annual fee for a residential Herpetoculture permit shall be set by administrative rule. The Department shall adopt, by administrative rule, any additional procedures for the renewal of a Herpetoculture permit. All fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

As determined by the Department, non-residents may apply for a permit not to exceed 15 consecutive days to commercialize herptiles indigenous to this State as outlined in this Article. The fee for the permit shall be set by administrative rule, and all fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

The Department shall adopt, by administrative rule, additional procedures for the renewal of annual Herpetoculture permits.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/65-5)

Sec. 65-5. Permit application and fees. An applicant for a Herptile Special Use permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department. The application must include all information and requirements as set forth by administrative rule.

The annual fee for a residential Herptile Special Use permit shall be set by administrative rule on a per person basis. The Herptile Special Use permit shall not be based on the number of special use herptile kept by an owner or possessor. All fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

The Department shall adopt, by administrative rule, procedures for the renewal of annual Herptile Special Use permits.

Any person possessing and in legal possession of a special use herptile as stipulated in this Article that no longer wishes to keep the herptile may be assisted by the Department, at no charge to them and without prosecution, to place the special use herptile in a new home, within 30 days after the effective date of this Act.

The Department may issue a Limited Entry permit to an applicant who: (i) is not a resident of this State; (ii) complies with the requirements of this Act and all rules adopted by the Department under the authority of this Act; (iii) provides proof to the Department that he or she shall, during the permit term, maintain sufficient liability insurance coverage; (iv) pays to the Department, along with each application for a Limited Entry permit, a non-refundable fee as set by administrative rule, which the Department shall deposit into the Wildlife and Fish Fund; and (v) uses the herptile for an activity authorized in the Limited Entry permit. A Limited Entry permit shall be valid for not more than 15 30 consecutive days unless extended by the Department, however, no extension shall be longer than 15 days.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/90-5)

Sec. 90-5. Penalties. A person who violates Article 85 of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense occurring within one year after a finding of guilt on a first offense. A person who violates Article 75 of this Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense. Any other violation of this Act is a Class A misdemeanor unless otherwise stated.

In addition to any fines imposed under this Section or as otherwise provided in this Act, any person found guilty of unlawfully taking or possessing any species protected by this Act, shall be assessed a civil penalty for such species in accordance with the values prescribed in Section 105-95.

All fines and penalties collected under the authority of this Act or its administrative rules shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/95-10)

Sec. 95-10. Civil liability and immunity. If any herptile escapes or is released, the owner and possessor of the herptile shall be strictly liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the herptile, including any injuries incurred to humans or damage to property, both real and personal, including pets and livestock, and the owner shall indemnify any animal control officer, police officer, or Department employee acting in his or her official capacity to capture or control an escaped herptile.

The owner, keeper, or possessor of an escaped herptile shall be solely responsible for any and all liabilities arising out of or in connection with the escape or release of any herptile including liability for any damage, injury, or death caused by or to the herptile during or after the herptile's escape or release or as a result of the apprehension or confinement of the herptile after its escape or release. In addition, the owner, keeper, or possessor of an escaped herptile shall be solely responsible for any and all costs incurred by an animal control officer, police officer, or Department employee acting in his or her official capacity to capture or control an escaped herptile.

A licensed veterinarian who may have cause to treat a special use herptile that is in violation of this Act shall not be held liable, except for willful and wanton misconduct, under this Act provided that the veterinarian (i) promptly reports violations of this Act of which he or she has knowledge to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours after becoming aware of the incident; (ii) provides the name, address, and phone number of the person possessing the special use herptile at time of incident or treatment; (iii) provides the name and address of the owner of the special use herptile if known; (iv) identifies the kind and number of special use herptiles being treated; and (v) describes the reason for the treatment of the special use herptile.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/100-5)

Sec. 100-5. Prima facie evidence; confiscation. The possession of any reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life protected under this Act is prima facie evidence that the reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life is subject to the provisions of this Act, including administrative rules.

Whenever the contents of any box, barrel, package, or receptacle consists partly of contraband and partly of legal reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life, the entire contents of the box, barrel, or package, or other receptacle are subject to seizure and forfeiture confiscation.

Whenever a person has in his or her possession in excess of the number of reptile or amphibian life or any parts of reptile or amphibian life permitted under this Act, including administrative rules, the entire number of reptile or amphibian life or any parts of reptile or amphibian life in his or her possession is subject to seizure and forfeiture confiscation.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/105-10)

Sec. 105-10. Conservation of reptiles and amphibians. The Department shall take all measures necessary for the conservation, distribution, introduction, and restoration of reptiles and amphibians. After any investigation when it is found by the Department that there is imminent danger of loss of native reptiles and amphibians, the Director may authorize the taking of native reptiles and amphibians from any area and specify other reasonable limits, methods, and devices as the Director may deem advisable to salvage imperiled species. The Department shall also bring or cause to be brought actions and proceedings, in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois, to enforce this Act, including administrative rules, and to recover any and all fines and penalties provided for in this Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the Department to change any penalty prescribed by law or to change the amount of license fees or the authority conferred by licenses prescribed by law. The Department is authorized to cooperate with the appropriate Departments of the federal government and other Departments or agencies of State government and educational institutions in conducting surveys, experiments, or work of joint interest or benefit.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/105-35)

Sec. 105-35. Collection of fines. All fines provided for by this Act shall be collected and remitted to the Illinois Department's Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund, within 30 days after the collection of the fine, by the clerk of the circuit court collecting the fines who shall submit at the same time to the Department a statement of the names of the persons so fined and the name of the arresting officer, the offense committed, the amount of the fine, and the date of the conviction.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/105-55)

Sec. 105-55. Illegal collecting devices; public nuisance. Every collecting device, including seines, nets, traps, pillowcases, bags, snake hooks or tongs, or any electrical device or any other devices including vehicles or conveyance, watercraft, or aircraft used or operated illegally or attempted to be used or operated illegally by any person in taking, transporting, holding, or conveying any reptile or amphibian life or any part of reptile or amphibian life, contrary to this Act, including administrative rules, shall be deemed a public nuisance and therefore illegal and subject to seizure and confiscation by any authorized employee of the Department. Upon the seizure of this item, the Department shall take and hold the item until disposed of as provided in this Act.

Upon the seizure of any device because of its illegal use, the officer or authorized employee of the Department making the seizure shall, as soon as reasonably possible, cause a complaint to be filed before the circuit court and a summons to be issued requiring the owner or person in possession of the property to appear in court and show cause why the device seized should not be forfeited to the State. Upon the return of the summons duly served or upon posting or publication of notice as provided in this Act, the court shall proceed to determine the question of the illegality of the use of the seized property. Upon judgment being entered that the property was illegally used, an order shall be entered providing for the forfeiture of the seized property to the State. The owner of the property may have a jury determine the illegality of its use and shall have the right of an appeal as in other civil cases. Confiscation or forfeiture shall not preclude or mitigate against prosecution and assessment of penalties provided in Article 90 of this Act.

Upon seizure of any property under circumstances supporting a reasonable belief that the property was abandoned, lost, stolen, or otherwise illegally possessed or used contrary to this Act, except property seized during a search or arrest, and ultimately returned, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of under order of a court in accordance with this Act, the authorized employee of the Department shall make reasonable inquiry and efforts to identify and notify the owner or other person entitled to possession of the property and shall return the property after the person provides reasonable and satisfactory proof of his or her ownership or right to possession and reimburses the Department for all reasonable expenses of custody. If the identity or location of the owner or other person entitled to possession of the property has not been ascertained within 6 months after the Department obtains possession, the Department shall effectuate the sale of the property for cash to the highest bidder at a public auction. The owner or other person entitled to possession of the property may claim and recover possession of the property at any time before its sale at public auction upon providing reasonable and satisfactory proof of ownership or right of possession and reimbursing the Department for all reasonable expenses of custody.

Any property forfeited to the State by court order under this Section may be disposed of by public auction, except that any property that is the subject of a court order shall not be disposed of pending appeal of the order. The proceeds of the sales at auction shall be deposited in the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

The Department shall pay all costs of posting or publication of notices required by this Section.

Property seized or forfeited under this Section is subject to reporting under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-512, eff. 7-1-18.)

(510 ILCS 68/105-75)

Sec. 105-75. Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund; disposition of money received. All fees, fines, income of whatever kind or nature derived from reptile and amphibian activities regulated by this Act on lands, waters, or both under the jurisdiction or control of the Department and all penalties collected under this Act shall be deposited into the State treasury and shall be set apart in a special fund known as the Illinois Wildlife Preservation and Fish Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/105-100)

Sec. 105-100. Home rule. A municipality or county may adopt an ordinance governing amphibian and reptile species captive ownership that is more restrictive than this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

(510 ILCS 68/110-5)

Sec. 110-5. Exemptions. When acting in their official capacity, the following entities and their agents are exempt from Articles 75 and 85 of this Act:

(1) public zoos or aquaria accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America;

(2) licensed veterinarians or anyone operating under the authority of a licensed veterinarian that is actively treating a Special Use Herptile in his or her care and is being maintained in the veterinarian facility under Section 10-25, 20-15, or 25-15 in order to prevent escape and protect public health and safety;

(3) (blank) wildlife sanctuaries;

(4) accredited research or medical institutions;

(5) licensed or accredited educational institutions;

(6) circuses licensed and in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and all rules adopted by the Department of Agriculture;

(7) federal, State, and local law enforcement officers, including animal control officers acting under the authority of this Act;

(8) members of federal, State, or local agencies or as otherwise authorized approved by the Department;

(9) (blank) any bona fide wildlife rehabilitation facility licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department; and

(10) any non-resident motion picture or television production company that uses licensed dealers, exhibitors, and transporters under the federal Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2132.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 10. The Fish and Aquatic Life Code is amended by changing Section 1-20 as follows:

(515 ILCS 5/1-20) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-20)

Sec. 1-20. Aquatic life. "Aquatic life" means all fish, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, and aquatic invertebrates and any other aquatic animal or plant that the Department identifies in administrative rules. Reptiles and amphibians are defined as "aquatic life" only for regulating fishing and consumptive take of herptile species in administrative rules. mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and any other aquatic animals or plants that the Department identifies in rules adopted after consultation with biologists, zoologists, or other wildlife experts. "Aquatic life" does not mean any herptiles that are found in the Herptiles-Herps Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15; 98-771, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.