HB3433 creates a new Section 805-575 in the Department of Natural Resources Law to establish a Flood Risk Reduction Pilot Project. Subject to appropriation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must design, implement, and evaluate up to three demonstration projects in flood-prone areas of the state to test natural flood risk reduction practices. The projects may include engineering and design, materials, construction, monitoring before and after construction, and project management.
The bill also allows DNR to require counties involved in the projects to submit progress reports on the results of the demonstrations. After the projects are completed, DNR must report to the General Assembly and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security on the results and on recommendations for adapting existing state policies or funding to better incentivize natural infrastructure, restoration, and flood reduction. DNR is authorized to adopt rules to implement the section.
Impact
HB3433 would amend Illinois law by adding a new pilot-program authority to the Civil Administrative Code, specifically within the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law. It does not mandate a statewide flood-control program, but it creates a framework for limited demonstration projects, reporting requirements, and potential rulemaking. The bill primarily affects DNR, participating counties, and state agencies involved in emergency management and homeland security, while also potentially influencing future state funding and policy for natural infrastructure and flood mitigation.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive and exploratory rather than contentious. The measure is framed as a pilot project focused on evaluation and recommendations, suggesting a pragmatic approach to flood resilience and natural infrastructure. No opposition, amendments, or recorded floor/committee objections are included in the available context.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely practical rather than ideological: the bill is expressly subject to appropriation, so funding availability could limit implementation, and counties may be concerned about the administrative burden of progress reporting and project coordination. Another possible issue is the discretion given to DNR to determine flood-prone areas and to select up to three demonstration projects, which could raise questions about geographic fairness or project selection criteria. No specific opposing viewpoints are documented in the provided transcripts or votes.