LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

                              May 1, 2007 Bill Report

Below is a summary of legislation that ISPE is actively supporting or opposing.  This list represents only our highest priorities and is not an exhaustive list. 

HB 324  (Rose)   SUPPORT

In cases where funds are “swept,” anyone paying into the fund must be notified of the transfer at the time he/she pays the fee the following year.  Passed House; Pending in Senate Rules Committee.

HB 555  (Holbrook)   OPPOSE

Voids “additional insured” provisions in insurance policies.  Held in House Rules Committee.

HB 599 (Saviano)   MONITOR

Shell bill; introduced at AIA’s request.  Held in Rules Committee

HB 600 (Saviano)   MONITOR

Shell bill; introduced at ISPE’s request.  Held in Rules Committee

HB 601 (Saviano)   MONITOR

Shell bill; introduced at ISPE’s request.  Held in Rules Committee

HB 679 (McCarthy)    SUPPORT

Allows the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to issue bonds for construction projects.  Passed House; Awaiting Second Reading in the Senate.

HB 750  (Miller)   PENDING

Income tax and sales tax increases; property tax relief; increased funding for education.  Awaiting Second Reading in the House.

HB 944 (Saviano)   OPPOSE

Licensure bill for landscape architects.  ISPE has opposed this bill and continues to do so because of interference with the PE Act.  Amended version of the bill (with no language) is currently being held on Second Reading in the House.

HB 1114 (Gordon)   SUPPORT

Requires that construction professionals, including architects or engineers, are liable for damages cause by acts and omissions, but states that the professional must receive notice of the defect and be provided the opportunity to repair or settle prior to filing of a lawsuit.  Held in House Rules Committee.

HB 1281 (Saviano)   MONITOR

Minor amendment to the PE Act at IDFPR’s request.  Awaiting First Reading in the Senate.

HB 1423 (Holbrook)   SUPPORT

Removes “design” from work that can be performed by elevator contactors or mechanics.  Passed House; Assigned to Senate Licensed Activities Committee.

HB 1479 (Burke)   OPPOSE/SEEKING AMENDMENT

Seeks to allow fire sprinkler contractors to perform work without the oversight of a PE or architect as required by law.  We are working with the proponents on an amendment.  Awaiting Second Reading in House. 

HB 1853 (Verschoore)    MONITOR

Currently a shell bill.  Proponents may be seeking to establish a statewide building code.  Held in House Rules Committee. 

HB 1950 (Moffitt)   MONITOR

Fire Prevention Safety Act.  No concerns at this time, but are monitoring to ensure no impact on PE Act.  Awaiting Second Reading in the House. 

HB 3278 (Leitch)  OPPOSE

Grants Design/Build Authority to the University of Illinois.  Awaiting Second Reading in the House.

HB 3490 (Harris)   SUPPORT

Design/Build for Public Building Commissions, including Chicago.  This language has been significantly amended at ISPE’s (and others’) request to mirror an earlier version of Design/Build that ISPE supported.   Awaiting First Reading in the Senate. 

SB 1 (Jones)    PENDING

Gross Receipts Tax.  Awaiting Third Reading in the Senate.

SB 5 (Trotter)    PENDING

Governor’s universal health care proposal.  Awaiting Third Reading in the Senate.

SB 259 (Crotty/Risinger)   SUPPORT

Same as HB 1423.  Passed Senate; Pending in House Rules Committee.

SB 378 (Harmon)  OPPOSE

Eliminates procurement code and QBS requirements for projects undertaken as “public-private partnerships.”   Being held on Third Reading in the Senate.

SB 495 (Munoz)   NEUTRAL

Addresses requirements for individuals providing inspection and testing of existing fire sprinkler systems.   Passed Senate; Pending in House Rules Committee. 

SB 573 (Silverstein)   OPPOSE

Same as HB 944.  Bill has been amended to remove nearly all of the proposed language Passed Senate; Pending in House Rules Committee.

SB 633 (Harmon)   SUPPORT

Same as HB 3490.  Held in Senate Rules Committee.

SB 1183 (Harmon)   SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Requires schools using energy performance contracts to follow all local QBS and other procurement laws.  Passed Senate; Pending in House Rules Committee.

SB 1296 (Cullerton)   OPPOSE

Amends the apportionment of fault section of the civil procedure statute.  Passed Senate; pending in House Rules Committee.

Basic steps for a bill to become a law are:  1) Introduction; 2) Rules Committee -- which assigns it to substantive committee (i.e. Labor, State Government, etc.); 3) Substantive Committee holds hearing; 4) If committee approves, bill moves to Second Reading before the full chamber.  Many bills are held at this point if there is insufficient support for final approval.  5)  Third Reading; 6) Process starts again in opposite Chamber – House bills must be approved by Senate following these same steps and vice versa; 7) Governor signs or vetoes.