HB5358ham002 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Randy E. Frese

Filed: 3/31/2022

10200HB5358ham002 LRB102 24911 RJT 38421 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 5358

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 5358 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.970 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.970 new)

Sec. 5.970. The Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund. This Section is repealed on December 31, 2027.

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.120 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.120 new)

Sec. 65.120. Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund.

(a) Subject to appropriation, beginning with awards for the 2023-2024 academic year, the Commission shall establish the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program and receive and consider applications for grant assistance under this Section. The purpose of the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program is to provide financial assistance to individuals that are accepted to enroll in a truck driver training program at a public community college that prepares a student to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license in the State.

(b) An applicant is eligible for a grant under this Section if the Commission finds that the applicant:

(1) is a resident of this State;

(2) has been accepted to enroll in a truck driver training program at a public community college that prepares a student to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license in the State;

(3) is a high school graduate or has earned a high school equivalency degree; and

(4) meets all other admissions criteria for the truck driver training program or course at the community college in which the applicant is enrolled.

(c) Applicants who are determined to be eligible for assistance under this Section shall receive, subject to appropriation, a grant sufficient to pay for the tuition and fees for a truck driver training program at a public community college. All grant payments shall be paid directly to the community college at which the applicant is enrolled.

(d) A grant awarded under this Section may not be renewed and may not exceed $5,000 per award per recipient.

(e) Any person who has accepted a grant under this Section must, within one year after completing a truck driver training program at a public community college, begin working as a licensed truck driver employed in this State and continue to work as a licensed truck driver in this State for at least one year.

(f) If a recipient of a grant awarded under this Section fails to fulfill the work obligation set forth in subsection (e) of this Section, the Commission shall require the recipient to repay the amount of the grant received, prorated according to the fraction of the work obligation not completed, at a rate of interest equal to 5%, and, if applicable, reasonable collection fees. The Commission is authorized to establish rules relating to its collection activities for the repayment of grants under this Section. All repayments collected under this Section shall be forwarded to the State Comptroller for deposit into the State's General Revenue Fund.

(g) The Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All money in this Fund may be used, subject to appropriation, by the Commission for operational expenses associated with the administration of the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program and for the payment of costs associated with providing grants to eligible community colleges in accordance with the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program.

The Fund may also receive grants, awards, endowments, or like proceeds and, if appropriate, other funds made available through contracts with governmental, public, and private agencies or persons.

(h) The Commission shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

(i) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2027.".