Bill Text: IL HB1345 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility that provides both water and wastewater services may request, in a general rate case proceeding, that the Illinois Commerce Commission allocate a portion of the public utility's wastewater service revenue requirement for recovery through water service base rates, allocate a portion of the public utility's water service revenue requirement through wastewater base rates, or combine that public utility's water service and wastewater service revenue requirements. Provides that as part of a proceeding, the public utility shall present evidence to establish, and the Commission shall consider, specified factors. Provides that if the Commission finds that an allocation or combination is in the public interest, the Commission shall enter an order approving such allocation or combination of the public utility's water and wastewater service revenue requirements. Provides that the water service revenue requirement or wastewater service revenue requirement may not be increased by more than 2.5% through an allocation from the water service revenue requirement or wastewater service revenue requirement. Provides for notice to customers. Allows the Commission to adopt rules to implement the amendatory provisions. Repeals the amendatory provisions on December 31, 2026. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-03-10 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB1345 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB1345-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB1345 Introduced , by Rep. Jay Hoffman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
220 ILCS 5/9-211.5 new
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility that provides both water and wastewater services may request, in a general rate case proceeding, that the Illinois Commerce Commission allocate a portion of the public utility's wastewater service revenue requirement for recovery through water service base rates, allocate a portion of the public utility's water service revenue requirement through wastewater base rates, or combine that public utility's water service and wastewater service revenue requirements. Provides that as part of a proceeding, the public utility shall present evidence to establish, and the Commission shall consider, specified factors. Provides that if the Commission finds that an allocation or combination is in the public interest, the Commission shall enter an order approving such allocation or combination of the public utility's water and wastewater service revenue requirements. Provides that the water service revenue requirement or wastewater service revenue requirement may not be increased by more than 2.5% through an allocation from the water service revenue requirement or wastewater service revenue requirement. Provides for notice to customers. Allows the Commission to adopt rules to implement the amendatory provisions. Repeals the amendatory provisions on December 31, 2026. Effective immediately.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning utilities.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding
Section 9-211.5 as follows:
(220 ILCS 5/9-211.5 new)
Sec. 9-211.5. Water and wastewater cost allocation and
combination.
(a) It is the public policy of the State of Illinois to
ensure that prudent and timely investment in water and
wastewater infrastructure is made by public utilities that
provide water and wastewater services in order for customers
of these services to receive safe, reliable, and affordable
water and wastewater services.
(b) A public utility that provides both water and
wastewater services may request, in a general rate case
proceeding, that the Commission allocate a portion of the
public utility's wastewater service revenue requirement for
recovery through water service base rates, allocate a portion
of the public utility's water service revenue requirement
through wastewater base rates, or combine that public
utility's water service and wastewater service revenue
requirements.

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(c) As part of any proceeding commenced pursuant to
subsection (b), the public utility shall present evidence to
establish, and the Commission shall consider, each of the
following:
(1) the current rates of the existing customers of the
water and wastewater public utility;
(2) the number of customers of the water and
wastewater public utility;
(3) the difference between the number of water and
wastewater customers of the water and wastewater public
utility;
(4) the capital investment made by the water and
wastewater public utility and the potential impact on
water and wastewater rates;
(5) future capital investment needs for both water and
wastewater systems and the service territories of the
water and sewer public utility that are in need;
(6) other public or policy objectives of the State or
Commission; and
(7) any other factor that the Commission deems
necessary to determine whether the allocation or
combination is in the public interest.
(d) If, after considering each of the factors set forth in
subsection (c), the Commission finds that an allocation or
combination is in the public interest, the Commission shall
enter an order approving such allocation or combination of the

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public utility's water and wastewater service revenue
requirements in accordance with this Section.
(e) If the Commission approves the rate recovery
allocation requested as set forth in subsection (b), the water
service revenue requirement or wastewater service revenue
requirement may not be increased by more than 2.5% through an
allocation from the water service revenue requirement or
wastewater service revenue requirement.
(f) A public utility that provides both water and
wastewater service and that makes an allocation request
pursuant to subsection (b) shall provide, in addition to and
as part of the required notice to its customers pursuant to
Section 9-201 of this Act, a description of the allocation
request, a statement of the estimated bill impact as a result
of any allocation approved pursuant to this Section, and any
other information that the Commission deems necessary.
(g) Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to be in
conflict with nor construed to be in violation of any
provision of this Act, including, but not limited to, any
provision of this Article or Article VIII of this Act.
(h) The Commission may adopt rules to implement this
Section.
(i) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2026.