HB 5021 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

GINSENG HARVESTING-FORFEITURE

Summary
Amends the Ginseng Harvesting Act. Makes changes to definitions. Adds prohibitions against attempted violations in provisions concerning a harvest license and in provisions concerning trespass to harvest ginseng. Requires a person with a harvest license, grower's license, or dealer license to immediately produce the license when requested to do so by an officer or authorized employee of the Department of Natural Resources or any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or any other peace officer. Provides that the Department may suspend a person who violates the Act or commits other specified violations from engaging in any activity requiring a license under the Act for a period of time according to rules adopted by the Department (rather than not to exceed 5 years following the revocation). Provides that any device or equipment, including vehicles and conveyances, used or operated in violation of the Act or rules adopted under the Act or attempted to be used in violation of the Act or rules adopted under the Act is subject to seizure and confiscation by the Department. Lists procedures for seizure, notice, court adjudication, and sale of property. Provides for return of lost property to its rightful owner. Directs that proceeds of sales shall be deposited into the Wildlife and Fish Fund. Requires reporting under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act and makes conforming changes in that Act.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Aug 2026
Introduced Apr 10, 2026 Signed Aug 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 5 edits · Aug 7, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as Enrolled, changing its title from 'Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act' to 'Ginseng Harvesting Act' to reflect its true subject matter. The text was reorganized to clearly define terms like 'wild ginseng' and 'cultivated ginseng' and to establish specific licensing requirements and fees for harvesters, growers, and dealers. This ensures consistent regulation of the ginseng industry under the Department of Natural Resources.
Scope change
The bill's scope was clarified by renaming it to focus exclusively on ginseng harvesting rather than general seizure and forfeiture, and by reorganizing the sections to cover definitions, licenses for different roles, and trespass laws.
SCOPE

The bill title was changed from 'Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act' to 'Ginseng Harvesting Act' to accurately describe its content.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Cultivated ginseng', 'Green ginseng', 'Grower', 'Harvester', 'Root', and 'Wild ginseng' to clarify legal obligations.

REQUIREMENT

Specific licensing fees were established: $7 for harvesters, $25 for growers, and $50-$100 for dealers depending on residency.

A deadline was set requiring harvesters to sell all wild ginseng by March 1 of the year following the harvest.

ENFORCEMENT

A specific section was added prohibiting trespassing on private property to harvest ginseng without the owner's permission.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

580
Passed
Total votes 58
May 28, 2026
D Democratic39
39 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
44
Key actions
9
Committee
12
Amendments
9
Aug 7, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Approved
lower
May 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Both Houses
lower
May 31, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 House Concurs 117-000-000
lower
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 009-000-000
lower
May 29, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
lower
May 28, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 28, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Sonya M. Harper
lower
May 28, 2026
Introduced
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 2
lower
May 28, 2026
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
May 28, 2026
Amended
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)
upper
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000
upper
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Fowler
upper
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Criminal Law; 010-000-000
upper
May 12, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law
upper
May 7, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
upper
May 7, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Dale Fowler
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Do Pass Criminal Law; 008-000-000
upper
May 5, 2026
Committee
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
upper
May 5, 2026
Introduced
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Dale Fowler
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Criminal Law
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 097-000-000
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors