The House of Representatives returned to Springfield this week and was in Session Tuesday through Thursday. The Senate was not in session this week but will return next Tuesday. Both Chambers will be in session next week.
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The House Public Utilities Committee met on Tuesday of this week. The committee approved HB 535 (Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Belleville) which dealt with cable companies seeking easements on railroad right of way. The committee also passed HB 3396 (Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago) which involved the purchase of electricity for municipal electric utilities by the Illinois Power Agency. Finally, a subject matter hearing was held on HB 2952 (Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine) regarding natural gas utility main extensions.
The House Energy Committee met on Wednesday of this week. Many of the bills that the Energy Association had concerns with have been assigned to subcommittee.
Friday, March 31st is the deadline for passage of House bills out of House committees, so the coming week will see lots of activity by various House committees seeking to meet that deadline.
The Senate Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday of next week. The only bill on the agenda is SB 71 (Sen. Don-Harmon, D-Oak Park) which as originally filed would have changed the effective dates for certain sections of the Future Energy Jobs Act related to renewable energy. However, Sen. Harmon has now filed an amendment that would change the bill to legislation dealing with wind energy installer certification.
The Energy Association has scheduled a reception honoring key Senate Committees for Tuesday, March 28th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Maldaner’s. . Please RSVP to edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com, or 217-523-7348. On Wednesday of this week, the Energy Association and its members hosted a successful reception honoring key House Committees. Nearly 60 legislators and lobbyists attended the event at Arlington’s restaurant.
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