HB5606 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20053 AWJ 35335 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5606

Introduced , by Rep. Thaddeus Jones

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

65 ILCS 5/11-129-6.5 new
65 ILCS 5/11-130-3.5 new
65 ILCS 5/11-139-8.5 new
30 ILCS 805/8.42 new

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipal waterworks system, water supply system, or combined waterworks and sewerage system shall offer reduced rates to consumers living in a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Provides that upon the submission of a signed affidavit and evidence verifying the consumer's household income, the municipal water system shall grant a 25% discount on all subsequent charges for water service. Provides that a municipality may require annual recertification of income levels for qualifying consumers and that it may not charge to qualifying consumers any fees related to the disconnection or reconnection of water service. Limits home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act requiring implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY	HOME RULE NOTE ACT MAY APPLY	HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
	STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by adding Sections 11-129-6.5, 11-130-3.5, and 11-139-8.5 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/11-129-6.5 new)

Sec. 11-129-6.5. Reduced rates for low-income consumers.

(a) A municipal waterworks system or water supply system shall offer reduced rates to consumers living in a household at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(b) Upon the submission of a signed affidavit and evidence verifying the consumer's household income, the municipal waterworks system or water supply system shall grant a 25% discount on all subsequent charges for water service.

(c) A municipality may require annual recertification of income levels for qualifying consumers.

(d) A municipality may not charge to consumers qualifying under subsection (a) any fees related to the disconnection or reconnection of water service.

(e) A home rule municipality may not charge water service rates or fees in a manner inconsistent with this Section. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

(65 ILCS 5/11-130-3.5 new)

Sec. 11-130-3.5. Reduced rates for low-income consumers.

(a) A municipal waterworks system shall offer reduced rates to consumers living in a household at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(b) Upon the submission of a signed affidavit and evidence verifying the consumer's household income, the waterworks system shall grant a 25% discount on all subsequent charges for water service.

(c) Municipalities may require annual recertification of income levels for qualifying consumers.

(d) Municipalities may not charge to consumers qualifying under subsection (a) any fees related to the disconnection or reconnection of water service.

(e) A home rule municipality may not charge water service rates or fees in a manner inconsistent with this Section. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

(65 ILCS 5/11-139-8.5 new)

Sec. 11-139-8.5. Reduced rates for low-income consumers.

(a) A municipality that maintains and operations a combined waterworks and sewerage system shall offer reduced rates to consumers living in a household at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(b) Upon the submission of a signed affidavit and evidence verifying the consumer's household income, the combined waterworks and sewerage system shall grant a 25% discount on all subsequent charges for water service.

(c) Municipalities may require annual recertification of income levels for qualifying consumers.

(d) Municipalities may not charge to consumers qualifying under subsection (a) any fees related to the disconnection or reconnection of water service.

(e) A home rule municipality may not charge water service rates or fees in a manner inconsistent with this Section. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.42 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.42 new)

Sec. 8.42. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.