June Legislative Updates

The spring session of the General Assembly ended May 31st. Here's a final recap of the measures we've followed this session.

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking):

Obviously this is a big topic in the news at the moment, but here’s the final status of all the introduced legislation.

HB 2615—Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act

This particular version of the fracking regulations never made it back out of the Rules Committee, but….

SB 1715 Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act

The Senate version of the fracking regulations was passed in both Houses on 31 May 2013 and was signed into law by Governor Quinn on 17 June 2013. Essentially, this means that once Illinois Department of Natural Resources gets the rules in place, fracking is coming to Illinois.

For the press release from Gov. Quinn’s office, see here

The Environmental Law and Policy Center breaks down the act here

HB 3086 Two-Year Fracking Moratorium/Ban

There are no changes to this measure—it’s still hanging out in committee.

Regardless of the passage of SB1715, there are a lot of angry people who are deeply opposed to any hydraulic fracturing in Illinois at all. They’re working to resurrect HB 3086 to ban fracking while its potential harms can be studied.

Passed Both Houses and Sent to Governor:

HB 1379 Water and Sewer Utilities Value

This measure was passed in both Houses on 16 May 2013

SB 1869 Multi-Drainage Code

Passed both Houses as of 16 May 2013.

HB 2753 Lake Michigan Wind Energy

This measure had passed both Houses on 31 May, and it was sent to the Governor on 19 June 2013. If Governor Quinn signs this into law, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will begin its two-year study of the possibility of locating wind turbines in Lake Michigan.

HB 1522 County Stormwater Management

As we stated in May, this measure has passed both Houses and is now on Governor Quinn’s desk. For more information about what stormwater management and associated fees will mean, you can check out our blog post on the topic. 

No Changes:

HB 2907—EPA Disposal of PCBs

This measure is still sitting in the Rules Committee as of 22 March 2013 

SB 1868—EPA Hazardous Waste Siting

This measure was referred to the Assignments Committee of 30 April 2013

May Legislative Updates

 

HB 2753 Lake Michigan Wind Energy

Last time we updated, this bill had passed the House and was headed for the Senate Energy Committee. It has since passed out of committee, and was slated for a third reading on May 15. No word, yet, on progress since then.

We should also note that we got the HB number wrong on the last go round—it should be HB 2753, not 2758. 2758 is a school meal program update. While interesting, it’s not exactly in the province of Illinois Water. Sorry about that.

HB 1522 County Stormwater Management

This measure passed both Houses on May 16. We’ll update on DuPage and Peoria Counties’ stormwater plans as we hear more. 

HB 3086 Two-Year Fracking Moratorium/Ban

This measure is still sitting in the Rules Committee, although some new co-sponsors signed on in May.

HB 2615—Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act

Amendment 1—which added requirements regarding well crew staff members—was defeated on May 1. According to various news sources, this measure will be up for a vote again, soon.

HB 2907—EPA Disposal of PCBs

This measure is still sitting in the Rules Committee as of 22 March 2013 

SB 1868—EPA Hazardous Waste Siting

This measure was referred to the Assignments Committee as of 30 April 2013, and there it sits.

HB 1379 Water and Sewer Utilities Value

This measure was passed in both Houses on 16 May 2013

And here’s another important one we missed:

SB 1869

Summary: Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of cities and villages must also maintain storm sewers, detention basins, and retention basins for drainage purposes.

Status: Passed both Houses as of 16 May 2013.

April Legislative Updates

Back in March we posted a list of water resources legislation in Illinois. Quite a bit has happened since then, so we've collected updates for the various measures. Please refer back to the March post for summaries of the bills.

HB 2758 Lake Michigan Wind Energy

• The House adopted Amendment 1 on 8 April 2013, which:
•  Changed the definition of public trust lands to mean the bed of Lake Michigan
• Removed the deadline for DNR’s siting matrix process
•  Removed provisions for DNR to identify prohibited and preferred development areas
•  Removed the provision that allowed any leases to be granted before the siting matrix was completed
• Sent to the Senate on 10 April 2013, when it went through its first reading
• Assigned the Energy Committee on 16 April 2013 

HB 1522 County Stormwater Management

• This measure went through its first and second readings in the Senate
• Was scheduled for Third Reading in 17 April 2013—we were unable to find any further updates 

HB 3086–Two-Year Moratorium/Ban  

•  Rules Committee Deadline was extended to 30 April 2013 on March 28
• Assigned to the Revenue and Finance Committee on 28 March 2013
• Proceeded to the Finance Subcommittee on 10 April 2013
• And is finally back in the Rules Committee on 19 April 2013, suggesting that it probably will not be brought to a vote this session    

HB 2615—Hydraulic Fracture Regulatory Act

• This measure is still in the Rules Committee, where it was re-referred on 22 March 2013, following the addition of a surprise amendment.   

HB 2907—EPA Disposal of PCBs

•  This measure was also re-referred to the Rules Committee on 22 March 2013 

SB 1868—EPA Hazardous Waste Siting

• An additional floor amendment was filed on 15 April 2013, which changed some of the language of the bill
• As of 25 April 2013, the amendment has been postponed  

Oops, we missed this one:

HB 1379 Water and Sewer Utilities Value

Synopsis

•  Introduces an alternative appraisal process for determining rate and rating making practices of large utility providers when they buy water and sewer utilities 
• Allows for three appraisals of the real value of the water and sewer services; the average of the appraisals will be used to determine rate making
• Sets specific instructions on how appraisers and engineers will be chosen and how the public will be informed about changes in utility ownership

Status: This bill was introduced in the House 6 February 2013, passed the House on 19 April 2013, and is now in the Senate, where it has been assigned to the Energy Committee.    

March Legislative Round-Up

The current session of the Illinois General Assembly has included several major pieces of legislation addressing water resources in Illinois. We’ve briefly summarized a few of those bills here as a general Water Wednesday update. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all that’s proposed; for a complete update on what’s going on in Springfield, check out the Legislation and Laws portion of the Illinois General Assembly webpage.