 Quickview 
IFB's State Legislative staff provides a roundup on Illinois state legislative issues from Springfield. Kevin gives his keen insight into the activities under the Statehouse Dome. |
|
|
|
|
Quickview for May 4 |
|---|
|
| Posted on May 04, 2012 at 1:00 AM |
|
QuickView-5-4-2012.doc
Here is the latest edition of Quickview from the IFB state legislative staff.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM?
There has been a very eerie feeling developing in the State House. The eerie feeling was seen this week through lack of urgency, despite the fact it was committee bill passage deadline week. There were very few sponsors running between committees to have their bills presented; there were not a lot of last minute tense amendment negotiations; and in the end, there were very few bills presented in committee relative to other session years.
You are probably asking…why the eerie calm? A lot of it has to do with the fact that each incumbent who is seeking reelection in November is very nervous about what their new constituents may think of them. But the biggest thing driving the eerie feeling, in our opinion, is the looming passage of a budget or the risk of going to overtime session. And when it comes to passing the budget, there are two of the biggest elephants ever in the room - Medicaid and Pension reform! There stands the basis for the the eerie feelings.
Legislators know that the battle on these two topics will not be popular with anyone. They are already getting pressure from potentially affected stakeholders. It just feels like everyone is getting ready for the huge, long battle.
Adding more to the eerie feeling are Governor Quinn’s recent statements that if the General Assembly fails to address these issues, he will hold them in Springfield this summer until something is done. Driving the “summer session” rumors is the indication that there is a wide split in the Senate Democrat caucus: there are reportedly those who might support the reforms and those that may not. The Senate Republican caucus has also stated they do not support the proposed reforms because they don’t go far enough. By doing some simple “legislative math,” it appears there are not enough votes to pass a budget in regular session, and even less in an overtime session when a supermajority would be required.
One thing is for sure; that this has the makings of a great storm!
LEGISLATIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Legislative Scholarship Program, which allows legislators to provide full scholarships to a student or students attending state universities, has received significant negative press over the last several months. This has led to calls for its elimination. Legislation to do just that gained additional traction this week, with Senate President Cullerton taking over lead sponsorship of the bill. HB 3810, as amended by Senate President Cullerton, would eliminate the scholarship program beginning on September 1, 2012. By setting this date for elimination, legislators would be allowed the opportunity to present scholarships for one more year. The bill also establishes a task force to review and evaluate other tuition waiver programs offered by state universities. This task force will consider the justification, purposes and goals, selection criteria, and whether programs serve the public interest for tuition waiver programs offered by state universities.
HB 3810 passed out of the Senate on a vote of 43-5-5. It will now be sent back to the House for concurrence with the amendments passed in the Senate.
It was reported that it took some convincing in order to get some members of the Senate to support the elimination of the scholarships. For example, it has been speculated that legislation increasing the State's minimum wage and eliminating the overtime exemption for agriculture will be allowed to be heard in the Senate Executive Committee in exchange for support for eliminating the scholarship program (See the discussion of SB 1565 below).
WIND ENERGY FACILITIES ACT – SB 3271 (SEN. FRERICHS)
Wind energy has become an increasing topic of discussion in Springfield within the past couple of years. More and more bills are popping up dealing with wind energy. All of these bills are facing some stiff opposition from groups ranging from pro-wind to anti-wind and everyone in between. Members in the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle have questions as they see wind energy devices going up around the state. For the most part, everyone involved in this issue believes that some sort of regulation and oversight needs to be in place, but at what level and who should be responsible? It is because of these questions that bills dealing with wind energy devices are not moving through the legislative process and the chances of any of these bills passing the General Assembly, at least this point, doesn’t look good. Numerous meetings and conversations have been taking place and continue to take place with the goal of finding common ground where everyone can benefit from wind energy.
SB 3271, sponsored by Sen. Mike Frerichs, has been an attempt to bring statewide standards and uniformity to wind energy. The bill started this year with language that dealt with the areas of construction, siting, and deconstruction. SB 3271 has been amended to scale down the Wind Energy Facilities Construction, Deconstruction, and Siting Act in an attempt to minimize the opposition to the bill. With the amendment, the bill now deals with the issues of construction and deconstruction. Currently all parties that have been engaged in this issue are reviewing the changes to SB 3271. IFB is waiting to see if this removes the significant opposition to the bill and if it will allow focused negotiations on the remaining two portions of the proposal to continue. SB 3271 has been re-referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING – SB 3280 (SEN. FRERICHS/REP. JAKOBSSON)
The agreement among IFB, the oil and gas industry, and environmental groups on legislation creating regulations for hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas from shale continued to move through the legislative process. The negotiated language includes regulations requiring the reporting of the chemical ingredients used in hydraulic fracturing, require well integrity testing and proper storage of hydraulic fracturing fluids, establishes a process for the industry to protect trade secret information, and will provide a process to allow landowners and agricultural tenants to challenge trade secret protections in the event they have been affected and need access to information on the hydraulic fracturing chemicals used. The bill passed the Senate last week and has been sent to the House for its consideration. SB 3280 passed the Senate 54-0-0. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee. IFB supports SB 3280.
GEOLOGIC CO2 STORAGE – SB 3758 (SEN. CLAYBORNE)
IFB has continued to hold discussions with the supporters of SB 3758 regarding possible changes to their proposed legislation that establishes a process for the use of underground storage rights for the storage of CO2 gas. IFB has adamantly opposed the proposed process of “unitization,” which allows a company to gain access to everyone’s underground storage rights once 51% of the surface owners in the storage area voluntarily sign contracts allowing storage under their property. The bill is drafted in a way that removes a person's due process protection and is a blatant taking of their property right. The bill also contains several other unacceptable provisions at this time.
Based on the latest information and political analysis, it appears this issue will likely be delayed until Veto Session. IFB will continue to monitor the issue very closely. SB 3758 has been reassigned to the Senate Assignments Committee. IFB opposes SB 3758.
TAIL DOCKING BAN – HB 1697 (REP. RITA)
HB 1697, the bill banning farmers from docking the tails of cattle, was not called for a vote on on the House floor before the 3rd reading passage deadline. At the present time, the bill has been reassigned to the House Rules committee. We will continue to monitor this bill and other bills for possible amendments containing these provisions. HB 1697 has been reassigned to the House Rules Committee. IFB is opposed to HB 1697.
SLOW MOVING EMBLEM FINE - HB 4598 (REP. VERSCHOORE/SEN. KOEHLER)
HB 4598 provides that a slow-moving vehicle emblem may not be displayed in public view from a highway on an object other than an animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and certain special mobile equipment. The bill establishes a fine for a first or subsequent offense of improperly displaying a slow-moving vehicle of $75 instead of the current fines of $25 for the first offense and $75 for a second or subsequent offense within one year. An amendment was added to the bill in the Senate to assure that non-highway vehicles that are also required to display an SMV emblem would not be impacted by the bill. Some municipalities that allow golf-carts or other similar non-highway vehicles to use roadways require them to display an SMV. HB 4598 has passed the Senate Transportation Committee and is on 3rd reading in the Senate. IFB supports HB 4598.
C-FAR REORGANIZATION - HB 4447 (REP. REIS/SEN. FRERICHS) & SB 3270 (SEN. FRERICHS/REP. REIS)
HB 4447 and SB 3270 include the changes required to implement the C-FAR reorganization sought by ag and commodity groups several years ago. HB 4447 has been approved by the Senate Agricultural and Conservation committee and is on 3rd reading in the Senate. SB 3270 is in the House Rules Committee. IFB supports both HB 4447 and SB 3270.
USE/OCC TX-GASOHOL - HB 4700 (REP. BRADLEY) & SB 3616 (SEN. SULLIVAN/REP. BRADLEY)
The IL Corn Growers have been working to increase the awareness and use of E15 within the state. Negotiations on these bills have been occurring between the Corn Growers and the Petroleum groups to allow this to happen while providing an economic benefit to the state. SB 3616 turned into a shell bill by removing its substantive language to allow the bill to continue to move through the process. This will allow negotiations to continue between the parties involved. HB 4700 has been held in the House Rules committee. SB 3616 has been shelled and passed out of the Senate. It has been assigned to the House Revenue and Finance Committee. IFB supports both HB 4700 and SB 3616.
AGRIC-FERTILIZER AND BLENDS - HB 5539 (REP. DUGAN/SEN. FRERICHS) & SB 3436 (SEN. FRERICHS)
These two bills make numerous changes to the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961. The bills create the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) for the purpose of pursuing nutrient research and providing educational programs to ensure the adoption and implementation of practices that optimize nutrient use efficiency, ensure soil fertility, and address environmental concerns with regard to fertilizer use. HB 5539 passed the House with 84 yes and 22 no votes and is being considered in the Senate. Details of the bill can be found in previous versions of Quickview. Proponents of this issue have concentrated their efforts and focus on HB 5539 as it moves forward. HB 5539 is on 3rd reading in the Senate. SB 3436 has been assigned to the Senate Assignments Committee. IFB supports HB 5539 and SB 3436.
MINIMUM WAGE LAW - SB 1565 (SEN. LIGHTFORD)
SB 1565, sponsored by Sen. Kim Lightford, was posted to the Senate Executive Committee this week. The bill would increase the State minimum wage and index it to inflation. The bill also sought to eliminate the overtime exemption for agricultural employers. Illinois Farm Bureau policy opposes the removal of the overtime exemption for agriculture and only supports an increase in the minimum wage when it is considered non-inflationary. The bill ended up not being called in the Senate Executive Committee this week. We will continue to monitor its progress. SB 1565 was postponed in the Senate Executive Committee. IFB is opposed to SB 1565.
ENVIRONMENT
NPDES PERMITS - HB 5642 (REP. TRYON/SEN. FRERICHS)
This bill establishes NPDES permit fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) at three levels. Large CAFOs (1,000 animal units (a.u.) or more) would be $750, medium CAFOs (300 - 999 a.u.) would be $350, and small CFAOs (300 a.u. or less) would be $150. The permit requirement has been clarified and will only apply to those CAFOs discharging to a water of the United States. The number of farms that will be required to have a permit will be extremely limited, impacting only a small number of farms. HB 5642 has been approved by the Senate Environment committee and is on 3rd reading in the Senate. IFB supports HB 5642.
EXPEDITED PERMIT REVIEW INVOICE - SB 3282 (SEN. CLAYBORNE/REP. BEISER)
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide an applicant who has used the expedited permit review process with an invoice showing the total fee paid for the expedited review, as well as the number of overtime hours that were expended by Agency staff to conduct the expedited review. SB 3282 has been assigned to the House Environment & Energy Committee. IFB supports SB 3282.
MINERAL INTERESTS
NON-COAL MINE RECLAMATION - HB 5145 (REP. SACIA/SEN. BIVINS)
Amends the Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act, prohibiting that annual expenditures for non-coal reclamation exceed 2% of the Department of Natural Resource's annual budget for mine reclamation. HB 5145 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and is now on 2nd Reading in the Senate. IFB supports HB 5145.
TRANSPORTATION
QUICK TAKE - ILLIANA EXPRESSWAY - SB 3318 (SEN. HUTCHINSON/REP. DELUCA)
The bill removes the prohibition of the Illiana Expressway program to use Quick Take Eminent Domain to acquire land for the construction of the expressway. This bill removes a landowners due process rights by granting “Quick Take” eminent domain powers to take property. The proposed tollway would connect I-55 in Illinois to I-65 in Indiana through Will county, south of US 30 and north of the Kankakee County line. SB 3318 was approved by the Senate. It passed out of the House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee and is on 2nd Reading in the House. IFB is opposed to SB 3318.
HANDHELD CELL PHONE USE BAN - HB 3972 (REP. D'AMICO/SEN. MULROE)
HB 3972 was amended to codify recent federal regulations banning the use of handheld cell phones in Commercial Motor Vehicles, but applies those regulations to all motor vehicles. The bill states that a person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device unless the electronic communication device is used in hands-free or voice-activated mode. It does not impact the use of cb's or hand held radios. HB 3972 passed the House 62-53-1. It was postponed in the Senate Transportation Committee. IFB has no position on HB 3972, as amended.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DNR-PARK ENTRANCE FEES - HB 5789 (REP. OSMOND/SEN. ALTHOFF)
HB 5789 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to charge an annual vehicle admission fee and daily access fee for entrance to properties owned, managed, leased, or all by the Department. The Department may charge a daily access fee to pedestrians and to owners of vehicles that do not have a current annual vehicle sticker. The Department may also establish a fee for individuals who use a park without paying the annual vehicle admission fee or daily access fee. The revenue generated by the annual vehicle admission and daily access fees would be deposited into the State Parks Fund or Wildlife and Fish Fund. HB 5789 passed the House with 81 yes votes and 29 no votes. It is now in the Senate Revenue committee. IFB supports HB 5789.
ELIMINATION OF UNFUNDED IDNR MANDATE - HB 404 (REP. MAUTINO/SEN. SULLIVAN)
This bill deletes numerous identified unfunded mandates upon the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Over a dozen different statutes are repealed or changed to remove items required by law that are not funded or are no longer needed. Members of the House Agricultural and Conservation committee praised IDNR for taking this unprecedented step in voluntarily removing unfunded mandates. HB 404 was approved by the Senate Agriculture and Conservation committee and is on 2nd reading in the Senate. IFB has no position on HB 404.
WILDLIFE
NUISANCE PERMITS FOR PASTURES - HB 5115 (REP. HATCHER/SEN. ALTHOFF)
Amends the Wildlife Code., providing that the Department of Natural Resources shall investigate a complaint by an authorized owner or tenant of lands or their agents when any wild bird or wild mammal is known to be destroying property, including cattle pastures. HB 5115 passed the House. It has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee. IFB supports HB 5115.
PERMIT-RELATIVES OF LANDOWNERS - HB 5353 (REP. BRAUER/SEN. BOMKE)
HB 5353 was amended to extend the hunting season for rabbits from January 31st to February 28th each year. HB 5353 was approved by the Senate Agriculture and Conservation committee and is on 3rd reading in the Senate. IFB supports HB 5353.
OTHER
CRIM CD-ASSAULT WEAPONS - HB 1599 (REP. ACEVEDO)
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to unlawful use of weapons. Increases the penalties by one class if a semi-automatic assault weapon or high capacity ammunition was possessed in the commission of the offense. HB 1599 has been referred to the House Rules Committee. IFB opposes HB 1599.
STATE FAIRGROUND-BUILDING NAME - HB 5540 (REP. MOFFITT/SEN. LAHOOD)
HB 5540 provides that the Department of Agriculture administration building location at 801 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, Illinois at the State Fairgrounds shall be known as the John R. Block Building. HB 5540 has been approved by the Senate Agricultural & Conservation Committee and is on 3rd reading in the Senate. IFB supports HB 5540.
ANIMAL DISEASE LABORATORY FEES - SB 3292 (SEN. SULLIVAN/REP. MAUTINO)
The bill provides that the Department of Agriculture may establish and collect reasonable fees for services (instead of diagnostic services) performed by animal disease laboratories. It allows the Department to deposit fees for laboratory services provided in the Laboratory Services Revolving Fund, rather than send some fees to the General Revenue Fund. SB 3292 passed the House Agricultural & Conservation Committee and is on 3rd Reading in the House. IFB supports SB 3292.
PRECIOUS METAL PURCHASING ACT - SB 3341 (SEN. DILLARD/REP. BELLOCK)
Creates the Precious Metal Purchasing Act, stating that a person who is in the business of purchasing precious metal shall obtain a proof of ownership, create a record of the sale, and verify the identity of the seller. A person who is in the business of purchasing precious metal shall also not pay for the precious metal in cash and shall record the method of payment. SB 3341 passed the Senate 56-0-0 and is in the House Rules Committee. IFB supports SB 3341.
|
|
| Add a Comment |
|
|
|
| Quickview for May 4 |
|---|
| Posted on May 04, 2012 at 1:00 AM |
| If you have any questions on the items listed in this edition of QUICKVIEW or on other state legislative matters please contact us at 309-557-2308. |
| Category: State Issues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| State of the State Address |
|---|
| Posted on February 01, 2012 at 4:00 PM |
| Gov. Pat Quinn presented his annual State of the State address to the Illinois General Assembly today. |
| Category: State Issues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Political Free for All |
|---|
| Posted on July 08, 2009 at 4:15 PM |
| This issue of Quickview deals with the latest veto by Gov. Quinn and today's big surprise in politics. |
| Category: State Issues |
|
|
|
|
| No End in Sight |
|---|
| Posted on June 24, 2009 at 3:48 PM |
| Will there be a solution before the end of the State's Fiscal Year? Probably not, says IFB observers |
| Category: State Issues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lawmakers pass hodgepodge budget |
|---|
| Posted on June 01, 2009 at 9:42 AM |
| After all the rushing around, confusion, anxiousness, and stress, the General Assembly on Sunday did not pass a doomsday budget, did not pass any reve |
| Category: State Issues |
|
|
|
|
| Quickview for May 19 |
|---|
| Posted on May 19, 2009 at 8:30 AM |
| The scheduled adjournment date for the General Assembly is approaching and lawmakers are eager to adjourn on time. |
| Category: General News |
|
|
|
| Blog |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| Category |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| Archives |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| About The Writer |
|---|
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|