103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2972

 

Introduced 1/31/2024, by Sen. Tom Bennett

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
525 ILCS 37/10
525 ILCS 37/15

    Amends the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act. Establishes the procedures required before conducting a prescribed burning. Provides that no landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager shall be liable for damage, injury, or loss caused by a prescribed burning or smoke resulting from a prescribed burning unless the landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager is proven to be grossly negligent. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

SB2972LRB103 37180 JAG 67299 b

1    AN ACT concerning conservation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Prescribed Burning Act is amended
5by changing Sections 10 and 15 as follows:
 
6    (525 ILCS 37/10)
7    Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
8    (a) "Prescribed burning" means the planned application of
9fire to naturally occurring vegetative fuels under specified
10environmental conditions and following appropriate
11precautionary measures, which causes the fire to be confined
12to a predetermined area and accomplish the planned land
13management objectives.
14    (b) "Certified prescribed burn manager" means an
15individual who successfully completes an approved training
16program and receives proper certification.
17    (c) "Prescription" means a written plan for conducting a
18prescribed burn.
19    (d) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Natural
20Resources.
21    (e) "Landowner" means the person or entity that owns the
22land.
23    (f) "Agent of the landowner" means the person or

 

 

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1organization that has a written contract or agreement with the
2landowner to manage the land, including, but not limited to,
3tenants and lessees.
4    (g) "Third-party land manager" means an individual,
5organization, or contractor under contract or agreement with
6the landowner or landowner's agent to manage the land.
7    (h) "Gross negligence" means an act of willful, wanton,
8and reckless conduct.
9(Source: P.A. 95-108, eff. 8-13-07.)
 
10    (525 ILCS 37/15)
11    Sec. 15. Requirements; liability.
12    (a) Before conducting a prescribed burn under this Act, a
13person shall:
14        (1) obtain the written consent of the landowner;
15        (2) have a written prescription approved by a
16    certified prescribed burn manager;
17        (3) have at least one certified prescribed burn
18    manager present on site with a copy of the prescription
19    while the burn is being conducted;
20        (4) notify the local fire department, county
21    dispatcher, 911 dispatcher, or other designated emergency
22    dispatcher on the day of the prescribed burn; and
23        (5) make a reasonable attempt to notify all adjoining
24    property owners and occupants of the date and time of the
25    prescribed burn.

 

 

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1    (b) (Blank) The property owner and any person conducting a
2prescribed burn under this Act shall be liable for any actual
3damage or injury caused by the fire or resulting smoke upon
4proof of negligence.
5    (b-5) No landowner or agent of the landowner shall be
6liable for damage, injury, or loss caused by a prescribed
7burning or smoke resulting from a prescribed burning unless
8the landowner or agent of the landowner is proven to be grossly
9negligent.
10    (b-10) No certified prescribed burn manager shall be
11liable for damage, injury, or loss caused by a prescribed
12burning or smoke resulting from a prescribed burning conducted
13under an approved prescription unless the certified prescribed
14burn manager is proven to be grossly negligent.
15    (c) Any prescribed burning conducted under this Act:
16        (1) is declared to be in the public interest;
17        (2) does not constitute a public or private nuisance
18    when conducted in compliance with Section 9 of the
19    Environmental Protection Act and all other State statutes
20    and rules applicable to prescribed burning; and
21        (3) is a property right of the property owner if
22    naturally occurring vegetative fuels are used.
23(Source: P.A. 95-108, eff. 8-13-07.)
 
24    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
25becoming law.