SB3633 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19546 BDA 32994 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3633

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Paul Faraci

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

505 ILCS 135/7 new

Amends the Sustainable Agriculture Act. Provides that the (b) The Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a joint study and publish the findings of such study to evaluate the extent to which carbon could be stored through widespread adoption of practices promoting soil carbon sequestration in the State, and what soil management practices that can be utilized to promote soil carbon sequestration. Provides that the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency may consult with and seek assistance from (1) similar state agencies in other states and (2) federal agencies, to the extent that such coordination aids in furthering the purposes of this study. Provides that the joint study shall consider how changes in seasonality and weather patterns, driven by climate change, may impact the efficacy of soil carbon sequestration. Provides that the joint study shall be published on a publicly available website no later than January 1, 2028, and suitable copies shall be delivered to the Governor and members of the General Assembly.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning Agriculture.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Sustainable Agriculture Act is amended by adding Section 7 as follows:

(505 ILCS 135/7 new)

Sec. 7. Soil Carbon Sequestration Study.

(a) The General Assembly Finds that:

(1) Plants assimilate carbon through the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When plants die the carbon that remains in the plant matter is added to the soil.

(2) Carbon can remain stored in soils for thousands of years, but the extent to which carbon is stored in soil is affected by the vegetation on the land, land management, and drainage.

(3) Agricultural soils have the potential to sequester significant quantities of carbon. Farmers can promote soil carbon sequestration by following practices that promote soil health. For example, perennial crops, which do not die off every year, have root systems that promote soil carbon sequestration.

(4) The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency have the expertise to evaluate and present findings on soil carbon sequestration.

(b) The Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a joint study and publish the findings of such study to evaluate the extent to which carbon could be stored through widespread adoption of practices promoting soil carbon sequestration in the State, and what soil management practices that can be utilized to promote soil carbon sequestration.

(c) The joint study shall consider how changes in seasonality and weather patterns, driven by climate change, may impact the efficacy of soil carbon sequestration.

(d) The Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency may consult with and seek assistance from (1) similar state agencies in other states and (2) federal agencies, to the extent that such coordination aids in furthering the purposes of this study.

(e) The Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency shall publish the joint study on a publicly available website no later than January 1, 2028, and suitable copies shall be delivered to the Governor and members of the General Assembly.