summary
Introduced
01/17/2025
01/17/2025
In Committee
04/11/2025
04/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that termination of water utility service to a residential user, including a tenant of a mastermetered apartment building, for nonpayment of bills is prohibited: (1) on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the following 6 days covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below; (2) on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the following 6 days covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above; or (3) when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, excessive heat warning, or heat advisory covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located. In provisions concerning procedures for a large public utility to acquire a water or sewer utility, provides that if the water or sewer utility being acquired is owned by the State or a political subdivision of the State, a referendum will be required to approve the acquisition of the water or sewer utility by the large public utility (rather than only requiring a public meeting and publication of the terms of acquisition in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Public Utilities Act to expand protections for residential utility customers and modify procedures for utility acquisitions. It prohibits water utility service termination under specific temperature conditions, including when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below for the next 6 days, when temperatures are expected to be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above for the next 6 days, or when an excessive heat watch, warning, or advisory is in effect. The bill also changes the process for large public utilities acquiring water or sewer utilities owned by the state or political subdivisions, now requiring a referendum in addition to the previous requirements of a public meeting and newspaper notice. The referendum would allow voters in the utility's service area to approve or reject the acquisition, with a majority "No" vote preventing the acquisition. These changes aim to protect residential utility customers from service disconnection during extreme weather conditions and give local residents more input into utility ownership changes, potentially affecting water and sewer services in their communities.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (on 04/11/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=159&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB0159.htm |
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