HB5145 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38520 MXP 68656 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5145

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Electric Vehicle Charger Grant Act. Provides that any State agency that disburses grant funds for electric vehicle charging stations must include provisions in the criteria for awarding grant funds that encourage the use of equity eligible contractors by the grantees. Provides that the provisions shall include, but not be limited to, additional points to those grantees who commit to exclusively using equity eligible contractors, a portion of the grant funds devoted exclusively for equity eligible contractors, and inclusion of aspirational goals for all grantees to use equity eligible contractors. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

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 Electric Vehicle Charger Grant Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Electric vehicle charging system" means a device that is: (i) used to provide electricity to an electric vehicle; (ii) designed to ensure that a safe connection has been made between the electric grid and the eclectic vehicle; and (iii) able to communicate with the vehicle's control system so that electricity flows at an appropriate voltage and current level. An "electric vehicle charging system" may be wall mounted or pedestal style, may provide multiple cords to connect with electric vehicles, shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories or have been granted an equivalent certification, and shall comply with the current version of Article 625 of the National Electrical Code.

"Equity eligible contractor" means a business that is majority-owned by eligible persons, or a nonprofit or cooperative that is majority-governed by eligible persons, or is a natural person who is an eligible person offering personal services as an independent contractor.

"Grant funds" means any public funds dispensed by a grantor agency to any person or entity for obligation, expenditure, or use by that person or entity for installing, maintaining, purchasing or repairing an electric vehicle charging system. Neither the method by which funds are dispensed, whether by contract, agreement, grant subsidy, letter of credit, or any other method, nor the purpose for which the funds are used can change the character of funds which otherwise would be considered grant funds as defined in this Section.

"Grantee" means the person or entity which may use grant funds.

"Grantor agency" means a State agency that dispenses grant funds.

"State agency" means State-supported universities and colleges and any department, office, commission, board, or authority within the Executive Department, other than the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Secretary of State, the Office of the Comptroller, or the Office of the State Treasurer.

Section 10. Disbursement of grant funds relating to electric vehicle chargers. Any State agency that disburses grant funds for electric vehicle charging stations must include provisions in the criteria for awarding grant funds that encourage the use of equity eligible contractors by the grantees. These provisions to encourage the use of equity eligible contractors shall include, but not be limited to, additional points to those grantees who commit to exclusively using equity eligible contractors, a portion of the grant funds devoted exclusively for equity eligible contractors, and inclusion of aspirational goals for all grantees to use equity eligible contractors.

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