IL HB5237

Repeals Section 9a of the Timber Buyers Licensing Act, eliminating the requirement that timber buyers deduct 4% of the purchase price from payments to timber growers and forward it to the Department of Natural Resources.

Eliminates the requirement for timber growers who process timber for sawing, lumber production, or resale to pay 4% of the minimum fair market value of timber utilized to the Department.

Removes criminal penalties (subsections a-15, b-2, b-7, b-12, e, and f of Section 11) that were specifically tied to violations of the repealed Section 9a timber harvest fees.

Updates the Illinois Forestry Development Act to reference timber sales fees paid under Section 9a only for transactions occurring before the effective date of this amendatory act (January 1, 2024), for purposes of determining priority and increased cost sharing in forest management programs.

Clarifies that the Illinois Forestry Development Fund continues to receive fees and fines from the Timber Buyers Licensing Act and other forestry programs to support timber grower cost-sharing for forest management practices.