Here’s hoping this isn’t my last newsletter.
Later today, my dad is dropping off my 86-year-old grandmother and a 10-week-old golden retriever for a 10 day stay here in the capital city. My wife is a saint for putting up with the chaos, but if you don’t hear from me next week, well, it won’t take Lester Holt to solve this mystery.
Right to Repair on Hold- For Now.
Right to Repair (HB 3061) was not called Thursday in Cybersecurity committee. Proponents are working on an amendment to limit the bill to medical devices. Their working plan is to file that amendment in the next week or two, but to hold off on any further hearings/votes until after the spring session concludes. I would guess this reemerges in Veto (November) or Lame Duck (early January). We will keep you informed as the Chamber maintains strong concerns about this idea.
Committee Updates
Another week, another deadline. This time it’s the House’s turn. Today is the deadline to get House bills out of committee. A word of warning don’t be too alarmed at some of the committee votes you see. There was a lot of “help me get this out of committee and I’ll agree to hold it until we get an amendment to bring back”. A lopsided “yes” vote total doesn’t always signal support.
House Transportation: Vehicles Committee. Chamber President Maisch Testifies Against HB 5395
In the House Transportation, Vehicles Committee on Wednesday morning, Chamber President Maisch testified against HB 5395 (Greenwood). HB 5395 seeks to charge a motor vehicle manufacturer in the event of an auto dealer closure. In the unfortunate event of a dealership closure, this legislation would make manufacturers liable for payments to municipalities for over 20 years! This would be unprecedented in Illinois law. It interferes with the private right of contract; it discourages right sizing of businesses, and it will hinder further expansion- companies will be forced to reassess before opening a new location thus harming the small towns the sponsor seeks to help. The bill passed 8-4-0 in committee on a partisan roll call. The sponsor committed to bringing the bill back to committee and pledged to work with opponents. However, it's very hard to see any room for compromise here.
House Energy and Environment
I testified in opposition to HB 2767 in the House Energy and Environment Committee earlier this week. The bill was being used as a vehicle for an amendment yet to come, and the sponsor wished to move the bill out of committee for deadline compliance. The proposed amendment would deal with power plant demolition to impose new standards after an unfortunate 2020 incident. However, SB 1920 was passed just last year to address this very issue. The Governor signed those changes into law just last August. Changing the law again, before this new law has time to take effect, is not the best way to conduct public policy.
House Transportation Regulation, Roads and Bridges
On Tuesday, February 15th, the House Transportation Regulations, Roads & Bridges Committee held a lengthy, multi-hour hearing. Due to a delayed start to the hearing, testimony for each bill was limited.
We were watching four bills particularly:
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HB 2545 (Ugaste) – consolidates the RTA service boards.
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HB 3980 (Ness)- greatly restricts automated traffic cameras.
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HB 4250 (Friess) – increases the number of permissible farm trucks
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HB 4764 (Mazzochi) – For a year after the effective date, no unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may enact or enforce an ordinance that restricts the operation of delivery trucks to certain times of the day. Provides that a unit of local government may regulate delivery trucks for traffic control purposes or in accordance with the Sections of the Code concerning mufflers, the prevention of noise, and engine braking.
Only HB 47464 was called for a vote. However, HB 4764 failed to advance by a vote of 4-7-0. The Sponsor mentioned the numerous warehouses within her district and her desire to alleviate supply chain shortages. The intent of this bill would be to extend the time in which trucks are allowed to enter a municipality to deliver goods, thus lessening some constraints on the movement of supply. Opponents of the bill cited concerns with subverting the authority of local governments and the standing justification for these time ordinances being in place.
Another bill of note, HB 4274 passed out of committee 13-0. This bill allows the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the Senate to appoint one member each to an advisory committee that determines which homes contain windows or doors that cause offensive odors and are eligible for replacement pursuant to the Residential Sound Insulation Program. This program has been discussed in past newsletters.
Numerous other bills concerning the Secretary of State’s office were heard. Other bills, such as those concerning license plate changes, handicap parking, catalytic converters, and pets in vehicles also passed out of committee.
Senate Transportation
Senate Transportation was canceled this week after a row over the legislative inspector general delayed the body by several hours. SB 2981 (Villivalam) was our bill of interest in that committee. It finally gives Illinois a design-build construction option. I spoke with the sponsor, and Chair of the committee, after the cancellation to reiterate our support for the measure. He pledged to keep pushing on the issue and a day later posted the bill for a hearing next week. That hearing will take place on Tuesday at 4 pm.
Bills that Passed the Senate this Week
The Senate passed a few bills out of their chamber this week. Here are the infrastructure bills of note:
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SB 3005, EV Task Force passed out of the Senate by a vote of 54-0-0. This bill provides that the Task Force shall include one member from an association representing automobile manufacturers.
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SB 3795, County Design Build passed the Senate unanimously. This bill creates the County Design-Build Authorization Division in the Counties Code. Provides that a county may enter into design-build contracts. Includes scope and performance criteria for design-build contracts, a two-phase procedure for selection of contracts, requirements for submission of proposals, procedures for awarding contracts, and requirements of reports and evaluation of contracts. Provides that, if the total overall cost of a project is estimated to be less than $12,000,000, the county may combine the two-phase procedure for selection into one phase.
