HB4782 Summary

• Changes the title of the Illinois Exotic Weed Act to the Illinois Exotic Weeds Act.

• Transfers authority to designate exotic weeds from the statute to the Department of Natural Resources, which must compile and maintain a current list of exotic weeds to be published in department rules.

• Changes permit issuance from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may") for buying, selling, distributing, or planting exotic weed seeds and plants, with permits to be issued through administrative rule.

• Removes the specific list of 20+ exotic weed species from the statute (including purple loosestrife, Japanese honeysuckle, buckthorn varieties, kudzu, and knotweed species) and allows the Department to exempt varieties by rule if research demonstrates they are not invasive.

• Authorizes municipalities to adopt ordinances to eradicate exotic weeds listed in Department rules on both public and private property within their boundaries.