Bill > HB1699

This bill amends the Environmental Protection Act and the Public Water Supply Operations Act to establish provisional operator certification programs for wastewater treatment and community water supply operators who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. These new programs allow individuals without a high school diploma to work as operators-in-training under the direct supervision of a certified operator, provided they meet specific qualifications. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate their capability to perform job duties safely, maintain equipment properly, and pass required examinations. For water supply operators, the bill additionally requires applicants to provide evidence of good character, specifically considering violations of certain environmental and terrorism-related statutes as potential disqualifying factors. In both wastewater and water supply contexts, the provisional operators must work under the direct supervision of a fully certified operator who holds the appropriate level of certification for the specific type of facility. The Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to adopt rules to implement these new provisional certification programs, which aim to provide opportunities for individuals to enter and work in these critical infrastructure roles while ensuring public safety and water quality standards are maintained.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1699&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104