The House and Senate were both in Session Tuesday through Thursday of this week. This was the only week in March scheduled for the House.
[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)]
The House Public Utilities Committee met on Wednesday to consider HB 5539 (Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago). HB 5539 is an initiative of the Illinois Power Agency. The bill is designed to address several audit findings that the small agency has been dealing with. The most significant provision in the bill makes the creation of a Resource Development Bureau discretionary. Current law requires the IPA to have a Bureau for the development and construction of electric generation, but the Agency does not currently have any plans for using this authority. HB 5539 passed out of Committee unanimously.
The Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee met this past Thursday to consider SB 2241 (Sen. William Haine, D-Alton). SB 2241 is an initiative of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, and it will provide for certain railroad easement requirements in Enterprise Zones in Illinois. The bill also makes a small change with regard to utility railroad easements. SB 2241 passed out of Committee unanimously.
The Senate will return to Springfield next Tuesday and is scheduled to be in Session during the first three weeks of March. The Senate will take a Spring Break from March 19th through April 4th.
The House is currently not scheduled to return to Springfield until April 4th. Once the House does return they will only have four session days until their Committee Deadline on April 8th.
The Energy Association will be hosting its annual Cocktail Receptions honoring key House and Senate Committees. The House Reception is scheduled for April 6th at Maldaner’s from 5:30 to 7:30. The Senate Reception is scheduled for April 12th at the Statehouse Inn from 5:30 to 7:30. Please contact our office at 217-523-7348 or email at jmonk@elaineg75.sg-host.com or edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com to let us know if you will be attending.
J. Monk
P. Evans
[/s2If]