HB2104 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b

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.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1025 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new)

Sec. 605-1025. Low-income water assistance.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Low-income" means a household with income that is equal to or no greater than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. For a one-person household, program eligibility is based on a two-person household guideline.

"Program" means the Low-Income Water Assistance Program.

(b) On or before January 1, 2022, the Department shall complete a study for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Assistance Program, which shall include:

(1) A description of the method for collecting moneys to support and implement the program, including a discussion of any constitutional restrictions on a public water agency setting rates.

(2) A description of the mechanism for providing funding assistance under the Program through either direct credits to enrollees in the Program or reimbursements to water service providers, including a method for verifying income eligibility of low-income ratepayers, clarification of the role of the water utilities in determining and verifying customer eligibility, and recommendations regarding the structure of the Program, particularly whether it will be administered by the State or locally administered.

(3) A description of the method to be used to determine the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from water ratepayers to fund the Program. The study shall include a set of recommendations and best practices of cost savings measures to ensure water utilities are demonstrating whether and how they are keeping rates low. This paragraph does not authorize the imposition of a State charge to fund the program.

The study may also include recommendations for other cost-effective methods of offering assistance to low-income water customers besides rate assistance, including billing alternatives, installation of water conservation devices, and leak repair.

(c) 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, including any recommendations for legislative action that may need to be taken.

(d) This Section is repealed on February 1, 2023.