Bill > HB2810

This bill amends the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act to expand its scope and provisions for protecting agricultural land during the construction and deconstruction of various energy infrastructure projects. The bill broadens the existing law's application to include pipelines, battery energy storage systems, and electric lines, in addition to commercial wind and solar energy facilities. Key provisions include requiring project owners to enter into agricultural impact mitigation agreements with the Department of Agriculture, which outline standards for preserving agricultural land integrity during construction and deconstruction. The bill introduces requirements for agricultural inspectors to monitor project compliance, with the authority to temporarily halt construction if noncompliance is observed. Project owners must submit deconstruction plans, provide financial assurances, and incorporate the agricultural impact mitigation agreement's terms into underlying landowner agreements. The Department of Agriculture is given expanded rulemaking authority to establish guidelines for agricultural inspectors, project-specific agreement provisions, and other implementation details. The bill aims to ensure that agricultural lands are properly protected, restored, and minimally disrupted during the development of energy infrastructure projects across Illinois.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2810&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104