Illinois House Bill HB3730

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/23
• Refer: 2/28/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Refer: 3/10/23

Caption

THIN ICE WARNING ACT

Impact

This legislation limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers, ensuring that local governments cannot enact regulations that are less strict than those outlined in the Act. Local authorities are allowed to create more stringent safety regulations, but cannot weaken the protections provided by this bill. This state-level directive is aimed at standardizing safety measures related to thin ice, thereby enhancing public safety in outdoor environments near potentially dangerous waters.

Summary

House Bill 3730, known as the Thin Ice Warning Act, mandates that property owners, including private individuals, the State, or local government units, must rope off and install warning signs near specifically defined bodies of water when certain conditions are met. If the pond, river, or lake is within 500 feet of a non-owner residence and the majority of the water near the shore is iced over, the property owner is required to comply with these safety measures to prevent accidents. Each required sign must convey a clear warning about thin ice, marked every 50 feet along the roped off area.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding HB3730 primarily revolve around local vs. state governance. Proponents argue that the legislation is crucial for enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents resulting from thin ice conditions. Critics, however, may view the restriction on local regulations as an overreach of state authority, advocating for the local government's right to tailor safety measures according to specific community needs. The law recognizes exceptions for areas used as livestock water sources, which could be a point of debate among agricultural stakeholders and local authorities.