CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY AREA Senate SponsorsSen. Patrick J. Joyce and Andrew S. Chesney House Sponsors(Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.) 6/30/2023SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0255 20 ILCS 805/805-570 newAmends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that before land is designated as a Conservation Opportunity Area, the Department of Natural Resources shall hold 2 public hearings on the proposed designation and provide notification by certified mail to landowners affected by the designation. Defines "Conservation Opportunity Area".Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a Conservation Opportunity Area designation by the Department of Natural Resources shall not be used by any State, county, or local government as a basis to deny or withhold any: (i) regulatory action; (ii) permitting; (iii) licensure; and (iv) funding. Defines "Conservation Opportunity Area".Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Reinserts the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 1 but provides that, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a Conservation Opportunity Area designation by the Department shall not be used by the Illinois Power Agency beginning with the Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan outlined in the Public Utilities Act developed in calendar year 2023 (rather than shall not be used by any State, county, or local government) as a basis to deny or withhold any: (1) regulatory action; (2) permitting; (3) licensure; and (4) funding. 2/10/2023SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce 2/10/2023SenateFirst Reading 2/10/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 2/28/2023SenateAssigned to Environment and Conservation 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney 3/9/2023SenateDo Pass Environment and Conservation; 008-000-000 3/9/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 10, 2023 3/16/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce 3/16/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/21/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation 3/23/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Environment and Conservation; 009-000-000 3/24/2023SenateSecond Reading 3/24/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Joyce 3/24/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 28, 2023 3/27/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce 3/27/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments 3/28/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation 3/30/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Environment and Conservation; 006-000-000 3/30/2023SenateRecalled to Second Reading 3/30/2023SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Joyce 3/30/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading 3/30/2023SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-000-000 3/31/2023HouseArrived in House 3/31/2023HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. 4/11/2023HouseFirst Reading 4/11/2023HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/18/2023HouseAssigned to Energy & Environment Committee 4/25/2023HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 027-000-000 4/26/2023HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 5/2/2023HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/2/2023HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 5/11/2023HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-000-000 5/11/2023SenatePassed Both Houses 6/9/2023SenateSent to the Governor 6/30/2023SenateGovernor Approved 6/30/2023SenateEffective Date January 1, 2024 6/30/2023SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0255