HB5165 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

RIVER ACCESS MODERNIZATION ACT
Last Action
4/28/2026 - Senate: Assigned to Appropriations
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act  
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines "navigable water" and "public recreational use".

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Changes the short title of the Act to the Public Waters Access Act. Makes changes to the definition of the term "navigable waters". In various provisions, replaces references to "waterway" and "public waterway" with references to "navigable waters" or "public waters". In a provision concerning the public right of use of navigable waters, defines the term "man-made structure" and specifies that the Act is not intended to restrict rights enjoyed by the public under State or federal law. Deletes the provisions in the introduced bill concerning liability and landowner protections. Specifies that liability and landowner protections are to be governed under the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act.

House Floor Amendment No. 3
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Public Waters Access Task Force Act. Sets forth findings. Creates the Public Waters Access Task Force to study and make recommendations for increasing and improving public access to rivers for boaters, paddlers, and anglers throughout the State. Lists membership and duties of the Task Force. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to provide support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit a report no later than one year after the effective date of the Act, and dissolves the Task Force upon submission of the report. Repeals the Act 2 years after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.
Actions
DateChamberAction
2/05/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
2/10/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/10/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
3/12/2026HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
3/16/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
3/16/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
3/24/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; by Voice Vote
3/24/2026HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 006-003-000
3/25/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/26/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
4/10/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
4/10/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
4/16/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/16/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-001-000
4/16/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled
4/16/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
4/16/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton
4/16/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
4/16/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
4/21/2026SenateArrive in Senate
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
4/21/2026SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
4/21/2026SenateFirst Reading
4/21/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
4/28/2026SenateAssigned to Appropriations