HB3282 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 08833 AAS 18888 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3282

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Rep. Jay Hoffman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/8-101.1 new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility shall ensure that it has the necessary labor force in order to fulfill its duties under the Act. Provides that no substantial change shall be made by any public utility in its labor force unless the public utility provides notice to the Illinois Commerce Commission at least 45 days before the implementation of the change. Provides that a public utility shall provide a report to the Commission in addition to the notice of the substantial change. Sets forth requirements for the content of the report. Provides that the Commission may conduct an audit or investigation of any public utility report filed pursuant to provisions concerning a public utility's labor force. Provides that if, after notice and hearing, the Commission finds that a report was insufficient to justify the substantial change in labor force, then the cost of any independent audit conducted by the Commission shall not be recoverable as an expense from the ratepayers of the public utility.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 8-101.1 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/8-101.1 new)

Sec. 8-101.1. Duties of public utilities; labor force.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Labor force" means the employees hired directly by a public utility and all employees of any and all suppliers and subcontractors of the public utility tasked with the construction, maintenance, and repair of the public utility's infrastructure.

"Substantial change in labor force" means either: (i) a greater than 5% reduction in the total labor force of a public utility; or (ii) a greater than 5% decrease in the ratio of labor force spending compared to capital spending of a public utility.

(b) A public utility shall ensure that it has the necessary labor force in order to furnish, provide, and maintain such service instrumentalities, equipment, and facilities to promote the safety, health, comfort, and convenience of its patrons and employees and the public and to be in all respects adequate, efficient, just, and reasonable.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section or pursuant to orders from the Commission, no substantial change shall be made by any public utility in its labor force unless the public utility provides notice to the Commission at least 45 days before the implementation of the change. A public utility shall include a report that provides the following in addition to the notice:

(1) a detailed analysis and explanation of how and why a change in a specific law, regulation, or market factor requires the public utility to make the substantial change in its labor force; and

(2) whether the substantial change in the public utility's labor force meets the following factors:

(A) the substantial change is in the public interest;

(B) the substantial change will not endanger the quality and availability of public utility services;

(C) the substantial change will not have a negative impact on the safety or reliability of public utility services; and

(D) the substantial change is designed to minimize the financial hardship on the members of the public utility's labor force that are impacted by the substantial change.

(d) The Commission may conduct an audit or investigation under Section 8-102 of this Act of any public utility report filed pursuant to this Section. If, after notice and hearing, the Commission finds that a report was insufficient to justify the substantial change in labor force, then the cost of any independent audit conducted by the Commission shall not be recoverable as an expense from the ratepayers of the public utility.