SB1438 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29921 MXP 56334 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1438

Introduced 2/7/2023, by Sen. Rachel Ventura

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Dig Once Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop a policy to reduce the scale and number of repeated excavations related to roads, highways, tollways, and expressways for the installation and maintenance of broadband infrastructure and public utilities in rights of way. Provides that the Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop rules to implement the Act.

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 Illinois Dig Once Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) minimizing traffic interruptions caused by repeated excavation and other construction projects is important to preserving the public safety of individuals traveling on Illinois roadways;

(2) the costs of trenching and installing broadband infrastructure by multiple providers increases the price consumers pay for broadband service; and

(3) greater efficiency and coordination between the State, units of local government, and internet service providers can help to alleviate costs and disruptions to consumers.

Section 10. Definition. As used in this Act, "broadband infrastructure" means conduit, pipe, interdict, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that accommodate current or future broadband and wireless facilities for broadband service.

Section 15. Dig once. The Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop a policy to reduce the scale and number of repeated excavations related to roads, highways, tollways, and expressways for the installation and maintenance of broadband infrastructure and public utilities in rights of way.

Section 20. Rulemaking. The Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop rules to implement this Act.