DNR-HERPTILES-VARIOUS

Amends the Herptiles-Herps Act. Provides that 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 the Act or administrative rules. This offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may approve limited transfers among existing permittees at the sole discretion of the Department for certain species. Provides that the Department may investigate any disease transmissions in any amphibian or reptile species that could be transmitted or spread, including any natural or captive populations. Provides that moneys collected under the Act shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund (rather than the Wildlife and Fish Fund). Makes conforming and other changes. Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Modifies the definition of "aquatic life". Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 510 ILCS 68/35-10 new Adds reference to: 510 ILCS 68/Art. 37 heading new 510 ILCS 68/37-5 new 510 ILCS 68/95-10 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Deletes provision that provides that 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. Deletes provision that provides that 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. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources 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. Provides that 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 the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.