Full Text of SB1521

LRB104 11471 BDA 21560 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1521

Introduced 2/4/2025, by Sen. Graciela Guzmán

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

415 ILCS 120/50 new

Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing as long as funds are available, a person may apply for a rebate in specified amounts following the purchase of an electric bicycle in Illinois. Prohibits the rebate amount from exceeding the purchase price of the electric bicycle. Contains eligibility requirements. Requires a person who is awarded a rebate to retain ownership of the electric bicycle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. Provides that a person may apply for and receive a rebate only once in a 10-year period and that only one rebate may be awarded per person per electric bicycle. Contains other provisions.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Electric Vehicle Rebate Act is amended by adding Section 50 as follows:

(415 ILCS 120/50 new)

Sec. 50. Electric bicycle rebate.

(a) In this Section, "electric bicycle" means a low-speed electric bicycle, as defined in Section 11-1517 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, that has an electrical system that has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL 2849 and European Standard EN 15194. "Electric bicycle" does not include an electric moped.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing as long as funds are available, a person may apply for a rebate following the purchase of an electric bicycle in Illinois. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a rebate awarded under this Section shall not exceed the purchase price of the electric bicycle. A rebate awarded under this Section shall be in the amount of:

(1) $400 for a person who is not a low-income purchaser of the electric bicycle; and

(2) $1,200 for a person who is a low-income purchaser of the electric bicycle.

(c) To be eligible to receive a rebate under this Section, a person must:

(1) reside in Illinois at the time the person purchases the electric bicycle and at the time the rebate is issued;

(2) have purchased the electric bicycle in Illinois on or after July 1, 2024;

(3) own the electric bicycle at the time the rebate is issued;

(4) not have purchased the electric bicycle from an out-of-state seller;

(5) apply for the rebate within 90 days after the date that the electric bicycle was leased or purchased if the electric vehicle was leased or purchased on or after July 1, 2026; and

(6) provide the Agency with proof that the person resides in Illinois and owns the electric bicycle and that the electric bicycle was purchased in Illinois, including, but not limited to, a copy of a purchase agreement noting an Illinois seller.

(d) A person who is awarded a rebate under this Section must notify the Agency of any change in the person's residency or ownership of the electric bicycle occurring between applying for a rebate and its issuance.

(e) The Agency shall:

(1) provide materials for submitting an application under this Section;

(2) adopt rules defining "low-income purchaser" for purposes of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and this subsection; and

(3) prioritize reviewing applications of low-income purchasers and shall give preference to low-income applicants in awarding rebates under this Section.

(f) A person who is awarded a rebate under this Section must retain ownership of the electric bicycle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after its purchase. During that time, the person must continuously reside in Illinois and register the electric bicycle in Illinois. A person who receives a rebate under this Section and fails to satisfy any of the requirements of this subsection shall reimburse the Agency all or part of the rebate amount awarded to the person and shall notify the Agency of the failure within 60 days after it occurs.

(g) Rebates may be awarded under this Section for the purchase of a new or used electric bicycle.

(h) A person may apply for and receive a rebate under this Section only once in a 10-year period, and only one rebate may be awarded per person per electric bicycle.