summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Crossed Over
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Public Utilities Act to improve transparency and public communication when a water or sewer utility owned by the state or a political subdivision is being acquired by a large public utility. The bill requires the utility being acquired to inform the public about the acquisition through three specific methods: (1) holding a public meeting before the acquisition, (2) publishing information in a local newspaper about the meeting, acquisition terms, and customer bill payment options, and (3) mailing a detailed notice to affected customers at least 30 days before the public meeting. The notice must be sent with customers' monthly bills on a separate page, using at least 12-point font, and must include specific details such as information about the public meeting, the decision-making body, and a comparison of current and expected rates. The bill defines key terms like "large public utility" (an investor-owned utility with over 15,000 customer connections) and aims to ensure that customers are well-informed about potential changes to their water or sewer service and associated costs.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Social Services, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (on 06/02/2025)
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=2863&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| Senate Amendment 002 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863sam002.htm |
| Senate Amendment 001 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863sam001.htm |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863eng.htm |
| House Amendment 002 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863ham002.htm |
| House Amendment 001 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863ham001.htm |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2863.htm |
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