Bill Status of HB2863  104th General Assembly

Short Description:  UTILITY ACQUISITION NOTICE

House Sponsors
Rep. Amy Elik, Nabeela Syed, Michael Crawford and Dagmara Avelar

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Erica Harriss)

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  5/15/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 20, 2025

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
220 ILCS 5/9-210.5


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a water or sewer utility owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof and being acquired by a large public utility must inform the public of the terms of its acquisition by the large public utility by holding a public meeting prior to the acquisition and mailing a notice to the public residing in the area that the water or sewer utility operates (rather than publishing a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Provides that the notice shall include (i) information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, (ii) information on what public body will be making the decision regarding the sale of the water or sewer utility, and (iii) an estimate of the potential rate increases that may be incurred in the next 5 years due to the acquisition, including the maximum rate increase that the large public utility estimates rate payers would incur each year for the next 5 years. Provides that, for a period of 5 years after the acquisition of the water or sewer utility, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall deny any proposed rate increase that exceeds the maximum estimated rate increase provided in the notice.

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a water or sewer utility owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof and being acquired by a large public utility must inform the public of the terms of its acquisition by the large public utility by (1) holding a public meeting prior to the acquisition, (2) causing to be published, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates, information about (rather than a notice setting forth) the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, the terms of the water or sewer utility's acquisition by the large public utility, and options that shall be available to assist customers to pay their bills after the acquisition, and (3) mailing a notice 30 days prior to the public meeting to customers who will be affected by the acquisition. Provides that the notice shall be sent to the customers in the same manner as the customers' monthly bills, either by mail or electronically. Provides that the notice shall be mailed or electronically delivered with the customers' bills, on a page separate from the bill itself, and in no less than 12-point font. Provides that the notice shall include (i) information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, (ii) information on the public body that will make the decision regarding the sale of the water or sewer utility, and (iii) a comparison of the current rate being charged by the water or sewer utility being acquired, the rate that is expected to be charged immediately following the acquisition, and the effect on rates if the acquisition does not proceed.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 2
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a water or sewer utility owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof and being acquired by a large public utility must inform the public of the terms of its acquisition by the large public utility by holding a public meeting prior to the acquisition and causing to be published, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates, information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, the terms of the water or sewer utility's acquisition by the large public utility, and options that shall be available to assist customers to pay their bills after the acquisition. Provides that the water or sewer utility being acquired shall provide a notice 30 days prior to the public meeting to customers who will be affected by the acquisition. Provides that the notice shall be sent to the customers in the same manner as the customers' monthly bills, either by mail or electronically, but shall be delivered on a page separate from the bill itself and written in no less than 12-point font. Provides that the notice shall include (i) information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, (ii) information on the public body that will make the decision regarding the sale of the water or sewer utility, and (iii) if available, an estimate of the capital investment needs of the water or sewer utility being acquired and a statement stating that customer rates may change in the future due to the capital investment needs.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/5/2025HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Amy Elik
  2/6/2025HouseFirst Reading
  2/6/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  3/4/2025HouseAssigned to Public Utilities Committee
  3/18/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Public Utilities Committee; 020-000-000
  3/19/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  3/26/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  3/26/2025HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
  4/4/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Amy Elik
  4/4/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  4/7/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Amy Elik
  4/7/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
  4/7/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Public Health Committee
  4/7/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Re-assigned to Public Utilities Committee
  4/7/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Public Utilities Committee
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
  4/8/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Public Utilities Committee; 020-000-000
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
  4/10/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  4/10/2025HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled
  4/10/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
  4/14/2025SenateArrive in Senate
  4/14/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
  4/14/2025SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Erica Harriss
  4/14/2025SenateFirst Reading
  4/14/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
  4/29/2025SenateAssigned to Energy and Public Utilities
  5/9/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 23, 2025
  5/12/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Erica Harriss
  5/12/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
  5/13/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Erica Harriss
  5/13/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
  5/13/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Energy and Public Utilities
  5/14/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Energy and Public Utilities
  5/15/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted
  5/15/2025SenateDo Pass as Amended Energy and Public Utilities; 014-000-000
  5/15/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading
  5/15/2025SenateSecond Reading
  5/15/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 20, 2025