Bill Text: IL HB2104 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that on or before January 1, 2022, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall conduct a study for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Assistance Program. Provides requirements for the study. Provides that on or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the Program. Repeals the provisions on February 1, 2023.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-29 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB2104 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HB2104-Introduced.html

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101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 HB2104 Introduced , by Rep. Sonya M. Harper SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that on or before January 1, 2022, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall conduct a study for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Assistance Program. Provides requirements for the study. Provides that on or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the Program. Repeals the provisions on February 1, 2023.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
amended by adding Section 605-1025 as follows:
(20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new)
Sec. 605-1025. Low-income water assistance.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Low-income" means a household with income that is equal to
or no greater than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. For a
one-person household, program eligibility is based on a
two-person household guideline.
"Program" means the Low-Income Water Assistance Program.
(b) On or before January 1, 2022, the Department shall
complete a study for the funding and implementation of the
Low-Income Water Assistance Program, which shall include:
(1) A description of the method for collecting moneys
to support and implement the program, including a
discussion of any constitutional restrictions on a public
water agency setting rates.
(2) A description of the mechanism for providing
funding assistance under the Program through either direct

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credits to enrollees in the Program or reimbursements to
water service providers, including a method for verifying
income eligibility of low-income ratepayers, clarification
of the role of the water utilities in determining and
verifying customer eligibility, and recommendations
regarding the structure of the Program, particularly
whether it will be administered by the State or locally
administered.
(3) A description of the method to be used to determine
the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from
water ratepayers to fund the Program. The study shall
include a set of recommendations and best practices of cost
savings measures to ensure water utilities are
demonstrating whether and how they are keeping rates low.
This paragraph does not authorize the imposition of a State
charge to fund the program.
The study may also include recommendations for other
cost-effective methods of offering assistance to low-income
water customers besides rate assistance, including billing
alternatives, installation of water conservation devices, and
leak repair.
(c) On or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall
report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the
feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the
Program, including any recommendations for legislative action
that may need to be taken.

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(d) This Section is repealed on February 1, 2023.