HB0594eng 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0594 Engrossed LRB102 10655 RJF 15984 b

AN ACT concerning government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Act.

Section 5. Definition. For purposes of this Act:

"Council" means the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

Section 10. The Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council. For the purpose of facilitating communication between the youth of the State of Illinois and the elected branches of State government regarding the issues, interests, and needs important to youth in the State of Illinois, the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council is created. The Council shall have the powers and responsibilities enumerated in this Act, together with such others as may be conferred upon it by law. The Council shall be an entity created under the legislative branch, and maintained and staffed under the executive branch by the Office of the Governor or an agency designated by the Governor that is under the jurisdiction of the Governor.

Section 15. Advisory Board; members; nomination; term of office; vacancies.

(a) An Advisory Board shall be created to facilitate the functions of the Council. The Advisory Board shall consist of 2 members of the House of Representatives, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and 2 members of the Senate, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate. The initial term for members of the Advisory Council shall begin on January l, 2022, or the effective date of this Act, whichever occurs later, and expire on January 9, 2024. Thereafter, the term for members of the Advisory Council shall begin on the Thursday following the second Wednesday of January, and expire after 2 years. On or before September 1, 2021, the Advisory Board shall create an application that shall be used in nominating individuals to be members of the Council. The Advisory Board may, from time to time, modify the application with the consent of the Council. While the Council is in session, the Advisory Board may attend meetings of the Council, and may generally advise the Council. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to entitle Advisory Board members to vote on matters pending before the Council.

(b) The Advisory Board shall make nominations for prospective Council members. Nominations for prospective Council members shall reflect the racial and gender diversity of this State and shall represent a diverse grouping of age distribution. After making the nomination, the Advisory Board shall notify the nominated individuals. Upon appointing the nominated individuals, the Advisory Board shall notify the individual of his or her appointment. The Advisory Board shall appoint one member from each congressional district of the State of Illinois, as well as 2 additional members-at-large. The 2 at-large members must not reside in the same congressional district.

(c) Each Council member's term shall be for 2 years. A member shall be allowed to serve more than one term, so long as the member continues to meet the requirements for being a member and is appointed for each term.

(d) Any vacancies in the Council shall be filled in the same or substantially the same manner as the original appointment within 30 days after the vacancy.

Section 20. Transition Oversight Committee.

(a) The Transition Oversight Committee is hereby created for initial outreach and marketing of the Council to the youth of Illinois as provided under Section 40.

(b) The members of the Transition Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the Advisory Board within 30 days after the appointment of the Board. The Committee shall be comprised of 3 members, and the Board shall designate one member as Chair of the Committee. Members of the Committee shall meet the same requirements of membership qualifications as members of the Council, and are responsible for overseeing the initial implementation of the Council. Members of the Committee may also be appointed to serve on the Council.

(c) The members of the Transition Oversight Committee shall create the bylaws for the functioning of the Council. These initial bylaws shall be subject to approval by the Advisory Board and the Council.

(d) The Chair of the Transition Oversight Committee shall preside at the first meeting of the Council with the assistance of the other 2 members, until the Chair of the Council is elected.

(e) The Transition Oversight Committee shall cease to exist after the first meeting of the Council.

Section 25. Members; qualifications. Each member of the Council shall, during his or her term, be:

(1) a resident of this State;

(2) at least 16 years of age and younger than 21 years of age, except that if the member turns 21 years of age during his or her term, such member shall be allowed to complete the term.

(3) be a student enrolled at a high school or a graduate from a high school with a diploma or a GED.

Section 30. Quorum; meetings; committees; leadership responsibilities.

(a) A majority of those appointed to the Council shall constitute a quorum.

(b) The Council shall convene each year and shall meet as often as is deemed necessary. For all other meetings and committee meetings, the Council may meet by electronic or telephonic means. Members of the Council shall be excused from school to participate in in-person meetings of the Council. At the initial meeting of the Council, the members shall elect from among their number a Chair, and may create more leadership positions as deemed necessary by the Council.

Section 35. Powers. The Council may:

(1) request the drafting of legislative measures from the Legislative Reference Bureau;

(2) provide testimony during any committee meeting of the General Assembly;

(3) vote as a Council position on any matter pending before the General Assembly and inform the General Assembly of the Council's position on the matter;

(4) draft reports and advisory opinions to the General Assembly;

(5) perform any other activity that may reasonably inform the General Assembly of the Council's position on any issue of relevance;

(6) conduct periodic seminars for members of the Council concerning leadership, government, and the General Assembly;

(7) collaborate with other established youth advisory commissions or councils, or any other commission or council as necessary within the State of Illinois; and

(8) attend trainings, educational seminars, and other relevant educational events as approved by the Council.

Section 40. Outreach.

(a) On or before September 1 of each year, the Chair of the Council, or a committee formed by the Chair, shall notify all high schools, colleges, and universities in this State, and make a reasonable effort to also notify community-based youth organizations, civic institutions, and units of government, that the time for applying to become a member of the Council is open, and shall expire on October 31st. The notice shall include the requirements for membership and a copy of the application.

(b) Upon receiving notice that the application period is open, any entity provided notice under subsection (a) shall make reasonable attempts to notify interested students of the Council.

(c) To raise awareness about the Council, the Council may:

(1) conduct a public awareness campaign;

(2) maintain a website and establish a social media presence;

(3) work with established youth groups to increase awareness; and

(4) employ any other means necessary to raise awareness of the Council's existence and purpose.

Section 45. Administrative support. Administrative support for the Council shall be provided by any State agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor or as otherwise designated by the Governor. Members of the Council shall not receive compensation for serving as members, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred for traveling to council meetings, food, lodging, the printing of the required annual report, Council approved trainings, educational seminars, and other relevant educational events, and any other reimbursements approved by the Council. The funds for the travel and administrative costs of the Council may come from appropriations to the Governor's office and the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund established under Section 55, subject to appropriation.

Section 50. Report to the General Assembly and Governor. The Council shall submit an annual report electronically to the General Assembly and the Governor detailing its activities and recommending any proposed legislation.

Section 55. Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund. The Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys in the Fund shall be used to reimburse Council members for actual expenses incurred in traveling to Council meetings, including travel, food, and lodging, and other expenses such as printing the annual report, Council approved trainings, educational seminars, and other relevant educational events, and any other reimbursements approved by the Council in compliance with Section 50 of this Act. The moneys in the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. The Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund may accept private donations and gifts.

Section 95. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.935 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.935 new)

Sec. 5.935. The Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund.

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