SB3985 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 21018 JLS 71210 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB3985

Introduced 3/12/2020, by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
30 ILCS 105/5.930 new

Creates the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Act. Directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a pilot program for the distribution of grants for the construction of new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Pembroke Township. Requires applicants for grants to demonstrate that the grants will result in the construction of a new natural gas pipeline to provide natural gas to the residents of the township. Provides that grantees are subject to audit by the State. Provides that the Department may accept private and public funds in furtherance of the purposes of the Pilot Program. Imposes data collection and reporting requirements. Provides that the Department shall report annually to the Governor and General Assembly beginning in 2022 regarding cost estimates for the Pilot Program, recommendations for improvement to the Pilot Program, and a recommendation as to whether the Pilot Program should be continued. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Fund.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Qualifying gas pipeline project" means the construction or installation of gas equipment used in connection with the distribution and delivery of natural gas in Pembroke Township.

Section 10. Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program.

(a) The Department shall create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program having a duration of 5 years. The Program shall provide that the Department shall distribute grants, subject to appropriation, from moneys in the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Fund for the construction of new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Pembroke Township.

(b) The Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the Program. At a minimum, the rules shall require that the applicant for the grants demonstrate that the grants will result in the construction of a new natural gas pipeline to provide natural gas to the residents of Pembroke Township and that the applicant complies with all other requirements of the rules.

(c) A grantee must maintain all records as required by rule. The records shall be subject to audit by the Department, by an auditor appointed by the Department, or by a State officer authorized to conduct audits.

(d) Eligible applicants under this Program may include a non-profit or community action association that will help the residents of Pembroke with the convergence of natural gas services in the residents' homes. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an entity regulated under the Public Utilities Act may serve as a grantee under this Act.

Section 15. The Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation, all moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department to fund grants for qualified utility infrastructure projects. The Department may accept private and public funds, including federal funds, for deposit into the Fund. Earnings attributable to moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

Section 20. Data collection and reporting. The Department shall collect data regarding the successes and challenges of the Pilot Program and shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by March 1st of each year beginning in 2022 until the Pilot Program terminates. The report shall: (i) make a recommendation as to whether the Pilot Program should continue; (ii) provide cost estimates, including the average per person costs; and (iii) recommend ways in which the Pilot Program can be improved to better address the needs for natural gas distribution.

Section 25. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.930 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.930 new)

Sec. 5.930. The Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Fund.