HB4379 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 16040 CMG 65402 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4379

Introduced 1/29/2020, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 305/115

Amends the University of Illinois Act with respect to a Section requiring the Government Finance Research Center to issue a water rates report. Provides that the water rates report for the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2021 (instead of December 1, 2020). Provides that the water rates report for the remainder of Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2022 (instead of December 1, 2021). Changes the repeal date of the Section to January 1, 2023 (instead of January 1, 2022). Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by renumbering and changing Section 105, as added by Public Act 101-562, as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/115)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 115 105. Water rates report.

(a) Subject to appropriation, no later than December 1, 2021 2020, the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later than December 1, 2022 2021, for the remainder of Illinois. The report must provide recommendations for policy and regulatory needs at the State and local level based on its findings. The report shall, at a minimum, address all of the following areas:

(1) The components of a water bill.

(2) Reasons for increases in water rates.

(3) The definition of affordability throughout the State and any variances to that definition.

(4) Evidence of rate-setting that utilizes inappropriate practices.

(5) The extent to which State or local policies drive cost increases or variations in rate-settings.

(6) Challenges within economically disadvantaged communities in setting water rates.

(7) Opportunities for increased intergovernmental coordination for setting equitable water rates.

(b) In developing the report under this Section, the Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory committee, which shall be composed of all of the following members:

(1) The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, or his or her designee.

(2) The Director of Natural Resources, or his or her designee.

(3) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee.

(4) The Attorney General, or his or her designee.

(5) At least 2 members who are representatives of private water utilities operating in Illinois, appointed by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.

(6) At least 4 members who are representatives of municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.

(7) One member who is a representative of an environmental justice advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.

(8) One member who is a representative of a consumer advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.

(9) One member who is a representative of an environmental planning organization that serves northeastern Illinois, appointed by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.

(10) The Director of the Illinois State Water Survey, or his or her designee.

(11) The Chairperson of the Illinois Commerce Commission, or his or her designee.

(c) After all members are appointed, the committee shall hold its first meeting at the call of the Director of the Government Finance Research Center, at which meeting the members shall select a chairperson from among themselves. After its first meeting, the committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The Government Finance Research Center shall provide administrative and other support to the committee.

(d) No later than 60 days after August 23, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-562) this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Government Finance Research Center must provide an opportunity for public comment on the questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be used, and the recommendations that need to be issued.

(e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2023 2022.

(Source: P.A. 101-562, eff. 8-23-19; revised 10-21-19.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.