97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB1280

 

Introduced 2/8/2011, by Sen. Michael W. Frerichs

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
30 ILCS 105/6z-32

    Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that conservation practice cost-share grants from the Partners for Conservation Fund may be made to livestock operations for water quality protection and improvement. Authorizes moneys in the Fund also to be used to partner with conservation land trusts in order to integrate State and federal programs with Illinois' natural resource protection and restoration efforts and to meet requirements to obtain federal and other funds for conservation or protection of natural resources. Also makes technical changes. Effective July 1, 2011.


LRB097 00154 JDS 40166 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1280LRB097 00154 JDS 40166 b

1    AN ACT concerning finance.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by changing
5Section 6z-32 as follows:
 
6    (30 ILCS 105/6z-32)
7    Sec. 6z-32. Partners for Planning and Conservation.
8    (a) The Partners for Conservation Fund (formerly known as
9the Conservation 2000 Fund) and the Partners for Conservation
10Projects Fund (formerly known as the Conservation 2000 Projects
11Fund) are created as special funds in the State Treasury. These
12funds shall be used to establish a comprehensive program to
13protect Illinois' natural resources through cooperative
14partnerships between State government and public and private
15landowners. Moneys in these Funds may be used, subject to
16appropriation, by the Department of Natural Resources, the
17Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of
18Agriculture for purposes relating to natural resource
19protection, planning, recreation, tourism, and compatible
20agricultural and economic development activities. Without
21limiting these general purposes, moneys in these Funds may be
22used, subject to appropriation, for the following specific
23purposes:

 

 

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1        (1) To foster sustainable agriculture practices and
2    control soil erosion and sedimentation, including grants
3    to Soil and Water Conservation Districts for conservation
4    practice cost-share grants, which may include cost-share
5    grants to livestock operations for water quality
6    protection and improvement, and for Soil and Water
7    Conservation District personnel, educational, and
8    administrative expenses.
9        (2) To establish and protect a system of ecosystems in
10    public and private ownership through conservation
11    easements, incentives to public and private landowners,
12    natural resource restoration and preservation, water
13    quality protection and improvement, land use and watershed
14    planning, technical assistance and grants, and land
15    acquisition, provided these mechanisms are all voluntary
16    on the part of the landowner and do not involve the use of
17    eminent domain.
18        (3) To develop a systematic and long-term program to
19    effectively measure and monitor natural resources and
20    ecological conditions through investments in technology
21    and involvement of scientific experts.
22        (4) To initiate strategies to enhance, use, and
23    maintain Illinois' inland lakes through education,
24    technical assistance, research, and financial incentives.
25        (5) To partner with private landowners; conservation
26    land trusts; and with units of State, federal, and local

 

 

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1    government; and with not-for-profit organizations in order
2    to integrate State and federal programs with Illinois'
3    natural resource protection and restoration efforts and to
4    meet requirements to obtain federal and other funds for
5    conservation or protection of natural resources.
6    (b) The State Comptroller and State Treasurer shall
7automatically transfer on the last day of each month, beginning
8on September 30, 1995 and ending on June 30, 2021, from the
9General Revenue Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund, an
10amount equal to 1/10 of the amount set forth below in fiscal
11year 1996 and an amount equal to 1/12 of the amount set forth
12below in each of the other specified fiscal years:
13Fiscal Year Amount
141996$ 3,500,000
151997$ 9,000,000
161998$10,000,000
171999$11,000,000
182000$12,500,000
192001 through 2004$14,000,000
202005 $7,000,000
212006 $11,000,000
222007 $0
232008 through 2021........................ $14,000,000
24    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
25contrary and in addition to any other transfers that may be
26provided for by law, on the last day of each month beginning on

 

 

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1July 31, 2006 and ending on June 30, 2007, or as soon
2thereafter as may be practical, the State Comptroller shall
3direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer $1,000,000 from
4the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund to the
5Conservation 2000 Fund.
6    (d) There shall be deposited into the Partners for
7Conservation Projects Fund such bond proceeds and other moneys
8as may, from time to time, be provided by law.
9(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-139,
10eff. 1-1-08.)
 
11    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
122011.