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.


LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2104LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
5Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is
6amended by adding Section 605-1025 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new)
8    Sec. 605-1025. Low-income water assistance.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10    "Low-income" means a household with income that is equal to
11or no greater than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. For a
12one-person household, program eligibility is based on a
13two-person household guideline.
14    "Program" means the Low-Income Water Assistance Program.
15    (b) On or before January 1, 2022, the Department shall
16complete a study for the funding and implementation of the
17Low-Income Water Assistance Program, which shall include:
18        (1) A description of the method for collecting moneys
19    to support and implement the program, including a
20    discussion of any constitutional restrictions on a public
21    water agency setting rates.
22        (2) A description of the mechanism for providing
23    funding assistance under the Program through either direct

 

 

HB2104- 2 -LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b

1    credits to enrollees in the Program or reimbursements to
2    water service providers, including a method for verifying
3    income eligibility of low-income ratepayers, clarification
4    of the role of the water utilities in determining and
5    verifying customer eligibility, and recommendations
6    regarding the structure of the Program, particularly
7    whether it will be administered by the State or locally
8    administered.
9        (3) A description of the method to be used to determine
10    the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from
11    water ratepayers to fund the Program. The study shall
12    include a set of recommendations and best practices of cost
13    savings measures to ensure water utilities are
14    demonstrating whether and how they are keeping rates low.
15    This paragraph does not authorize the imposition of a State
16    charge to fund the program.
17    The study may also include recommendations for other
18cost-effective methods of offering assistance to low-income
19water customers besides rate assistance, including billing
20alternatives, installation of water conservation devices, and
21leak repair.
22    (c) On or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall
23report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the
24feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the
25Program, including any recommendations for legislative action
26that may need to be taken.

 

 

HB2104- 3 -LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b

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