HB2459 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26804 CPF 53168 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB2459

Introduced 2/15/2023, by Rep. Martin J. Moylan

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

415 ILCS 5/9.19 new

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a fleet electrification voucher program to promote the use of electric school buses, electric Class 7 trucks, and electric Class 8 trucks by fleet owners by offering a voucher of $200,000 per electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck purchased or leased for a fleet by the fleet's owner or operator. Provides that an applicant shall submit a proof of purchase, lease, or other binding contract regarding the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck in order to be awarded the voucher. Provides that, upon approval of the initial application, an applicant must scrap a diesel school bus, diesel Class 7 truck, or diesel Class 8 truck from the applicant's existing fleet. Requires an applicant who is awarded a voucher to agree to participate in annual surveys on specified metrics. Contains other program requirements. Defines "Class 7 truck" and "Class 8 truck".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

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

Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by adding Section 9.19 as follows:

(415 ILCS 5/9.19 new)

Sec. 9.19. Fleet electrification voucher program.

(a) The Agency shall establish a fleet electrification voucher program to promote the use of electric school buses, electric Class 7 trucks, and electric Class 8 trucks by fleet owners and operators. The program shall offer a voucher of $200,000 per electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck purchased or leased for a fleet by the fleet's owner or operator.

(b) Vouchers offered under this Section shall be made available for electric school buses, electric Class 7 trucks, and electric Class 8 trucks that are registered in Illinois or recognized under the International Registration Plan and whose applicant fleet owners or operators have a primary residence in Illinois. Vouchers must be made available for direct purchases, purchases through third-party bulk orders, and leasing of electric school buses, electric Class 7 trucks, and electric Class 8 trucks.

(c) After an applicant receives notification that the applicant's voucher request has been granted preliminary approval by the Agency, the applicant shall submit a proof of purchase, lease, or other binding contract regarding the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck in order to be awarded the voucher. The preliminary approval of the voucher request may be renewed at 3-month intervals for up to 18 months, pending receipt of the applicant's proof of purchase, lease, or other binding contract regarding the purchase or leasing of the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck.

(d) A fleet owner or operator who receives a voucher under this Section must retain title or right of use of the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck incentivized under the program for a minimum of 36 consecutive months after the purchase date or lease date of the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck. Resale or sublease of the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck for financial gain within 36 months after the purchase date or lease date is prohibited.

(e) If the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck of an applicant is leased, a lease term of at least 36 months is required for the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck to be eligible for the program.

(f) The deployment of the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck in the applicant's fleet is required within 24 months after receipt of voucher funds under the program. Total completion of the project for which the electric school bus, electric Class 7 truck, or electric Class 8 truck is purchased or leased must occur within 36 months after receipt of voucher funds under the program.

(g) Upon approval of an initial application for a voucher under this Section, the applicant must scrap a diesel school bus, diesel Class 7 truck, or diesel Class 8 truck from the applicant's existing fleet. There is no vehicle age requirement for scrapping a diesel school bus, diesel Class 7 truck, or diesel Class 8 truck under the program.

(h) An applicant who is awarded a voucher under this Section must agree to participate in annual surveys on metrics as determined by the Agency, such as average daily mileage, kilowatts consumed, and emissions reduction data.

(i) In this Section:

"Class 7 truck" means a truck categorized by the Federal Highway Administration, using gross vehicle weight ratings, as a Class 7 vehicle.

"Class 8 truck" means a truck categorized by the Federal Highway Administration, using gross vehicle weight ratings, as a Class 8 vehicle.