The General Assembly returned to Springfield this week. The Senate was in Session Tuesday through Thursday, with the House in Session Wednesday and Thursday. Both Chambers have finalized committee membership, and substantive committee work is scheduled to start next week.
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The House and Senate had their bill filing deadline set for Friday of this week. At this time there are over six thousand bills filed, which is slightly larger than we usually see. The Energy Association has identified a little less than 150 bills that may be of direct concern to the energy industry.
Next week, we have six bills that may be of concern to the industry in committee. In the House, Public Utilities is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. They will consider two initiatives that are of concern to water utilities. HB 462 and HB 463, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) require water utilities to file pricing reports (HB 462) and would change the way water utility assets are valued (HB 463). The Committee will also consider HB 535 (Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Belleville) which would change how railroad easements for cable and telecommunications companies are handled.
The House Energy Committee is scheduled to consider HB 232 (Rep. Andre Thapdi, D-Chicago) on Wednesday. The bill would expand the State’s RPS program to include new and expanded hydroelectric facilities.
In the Senate, the Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday. SB 71 (Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park) is being considered. The bill would change the effective date for many of the environmental provisions of the Exelon bill.
The Senate Environment Committee is also scheduled to meet on Friday. They will consider SB 611 (Sen. Scott Bennett, D–Champaign) which would set-up a Task Force to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.
The Energy Association has scheduled several receptions for the new General Assembly. The Association will be hosting a New Member Reception on February 15th at the State House Inn from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. A reception honoring the House Committees will be on March 21st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Arlington’s, and a reception honoring the Senate Committees will be on March 28th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Maldaner’s. Please RSVP to edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com, or 217-523-7348.
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