Bill Text: IL HB3278 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-18 - Referred to Rules Committee [HB3278 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB3278-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3278 Introduced , by Rep. Joyce Mason SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
415 ILCS 5/29.5 new
5 ILCS 100/5-45.65 new
Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning safety.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. References to Act.This Act may be referred to
as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.
Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by
adding Section 29.5 as follows:
(415 ILCS 5/29.5 new)
Sec. 29.5. Rules establishing effluent limitations for
wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production,
transport, and packaging of plastic pellets or other
preproduction plastic materials. Not later than 60 days after
the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General
Assembly, the Environmental Protection Agency shall adopt
rules to ensure that:
(1) the discharge of plastic pellets or other
preproduction plastic materials, including discharge into
wastewater and runoff, from facilities regulated under 40
CFR 414 or 40 CFR 463, as in effect on the effective date
of this Act, is prohibited in this State;
(2) the discharge of plastic pellets or other
preproduction plastic materials, including discharge into

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wastewater and other runoff, from a point source, as
defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, that
makes, uses, packages, or transports those plastic pellets
and other preproduction plastic materials is prohibited in
this State; and
(3) the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) are
reflected in:
(A) all wastewater, stormwater, and other permits
issued by the Agency under this Act or pursuant to the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act to facilities and
other point sources, as defined in the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, that make, use, package, or
transport plastic pellets or other preproduction
plastic materials, as determined by the Director, in
addition to other applicable limits and standards; and
(B) all standards of performance promulgated under
Section 312(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1322(p)) that are applicable to point
sources, as defined in Section 502 of that Act (33
U.S.C. 1362 and 33 U.S.C. 1329), that make, use,
package, or transport plastic pellets or other
preproduction plastic materials, as determined by the
Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of the
State of Illinois.
Section 10. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is

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amended by adding Section 5-45.65 as follows:
(5 ILCS 100/5-45.65 new)
Sec. 5-45.65. Emergency rulemaking; Plastic-Pellet-Free
Waters Act. To provide for the expeditious and timely
implementation of this amendatory Act of the 104th General
Assembly, emergency rules implementing Section 29.5 of the
Environmental Protection Act may be adopted by the
Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Section
5-45. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section
5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public
interest, safety, and welfare.
This Section is repealed one year after the effective date
of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.