103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3483

 

Introduced 2/8/2024, by Sen. Rachel Ventura

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Local Government Zero Emissions Transition Grant Program Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and administer a Local Government Zero Emissions Transition Grant Program. Delineates the program into two Phases. Provides that Phase 1 requires an application to the Agency by a local government stating a local ordinance or nonbinding declaration has been voted on regarding transition of the local government's vehicle fleet to zero emissions by 2030. Limits Phase 1 grants to a maximum of $50,000 with at least a 20% match from the applicant. Requires applications under Phase 2 of the program to be predicated on either completion of an evaluative study regarding readiness for electric vehicles by the local government or completion of Phase 1 of the program. Provides that Phase 2 of the program requires an application to the Agency by a local government stating defined goals and projects in the transition of the local government's vehicle fleet, including building electric vehicle infrastructure, increasing load capacity, training staff, and other defined goals and projects. Gives priority to applicants based on planned date for transition to zero emissions, the effects of climate change and carbon pollution on the local government, and the percentage of the local government's fleet converted. Defines local government units under the Act to municipalities, townships, and counties; defines other terms. Permits the adoption of rules by the Agency.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local
5Government Zero Emissions Transition Grant Program Act.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act.
7    "Agency" means the Environmental Protection Agency.
8    "Local governmental unit" means a municipality, township,
9or county.
10    "Program" means the Local Government Zero Emissions
11Transition Grant Program.
 
12    Section 10. Local Government Zero Emission Transition
13Grant Program.
14    (a) Subject to appropriation, the Environmental Protection
15Agency shall establish and administer a Local Government Zero
16Emissions Transition Grant Program, which shall consist of at
17least two phases.
18    (b) The requirements for a grant under Phase 1 of the Local
19Government Zero Emissions Transition Grant Program are as
20follows:
21        (1) To qualify for a grant under Phase 1, a local
22    governmental unit must provide the Agency with an

 

 

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1    application that meets the following requirements:
2            (A) The local governmental unit must have voted on
3        and passed a local ordinance or nonbinding declaration
4        of its intent to transition its passenger vehicle
5        fleet to 100% zero-emissions by 2030 or earlier; or
6            (B) The local governmental unit must have voted on
7        and passed a local ordinance or nonbinding declaration
8        of its intent to transition the majority of its
9        vehicle fleet to zero-emissions by 2030 or earlier.
10        (2) In awarding Phase 1 grants under this subsection,
11    the Agency shall give priority to applicants who:
12            (A) have submitted the earliest date for
13        transitioning their vehicle fleet to zero emissions;
14            (B) have been disproportionately affected by the
15        effects of climate change and carbon pollution; and
16            (C) have a higher percentage of their vehicle
17        fleet to be converted.
18        (3) Phase 1 grants under this subsection may not
19    exceed $50,000, and they require at least a 20% match from
20    the local governmental unit applying for the grant.
21    (c) The requirements for a grant under Phase 2 of the Local
22Government Zero Emissions Transition Grant Program are as
23follows:
24        (1) To qualify for a grant under Phase 2, a local
25    governmental unit must have conducted its own zero
26    emissions or electric vehicle readiness study to evaluate

 

 

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1    the local governmental unit's readiness and plan for the
2    arrival of electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging,
3    and other zero-emissions vehicles, or it must have
4    completed Phase 1 of the Local Government Zero Emissions
5    Grant Program. A grant recipient of Phase 2 must provide
6    the Agency with an application that meets the following
7    requirements:
8            (A) The application shall define specific goals
9        and projects, identified in the local governmental
10        units electric vehicle readiness study, that the local
11        governmental unit needs in order to build out its
12        electric vehicle infrastructure and fleet, including,
13        but not limited to:
14                (I) projects to out its electric vehicle
15            infrastructure;
16                (II) projects to increase its load capacity;
17                (III) projects to train existing or new staff
18            to work on new electric vehicles; and
19                (IV) any other projects or barriers that are
20            preventing the local governmental unit from
21            transitioning its fleet to 100% electric, except
22            for the purchase of the vehicle itself.
23            (B) If the local governmental unit applying for
24        the Phase 2 grant did not use Phase 1 to complete its
25        zero emissions readiness study, it must submit a date
26        that the local governmental unit will have

 

 

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1        transitioned its fleet.
2        (2) In awarding grants under this subsection, the
3    Agency must give priority to local governmental units
4    that:
5            (A) have submitted the earliest date for
6        transitioning 100% of their fleet to zero emissions;
7            (B) have been disproportionately affected by the
8        effects of climate change and carbon pollution; and
9            (C) have a higher percentage of their fleet
10        converted.
11    (d) The Agency may adopt any rules necessary for the
12purposes of this Act.
 
13    Section 15. Severability. The provisions of this Act shall
14be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision
15of this Act or the applicability thereof to any person or
16circumstance shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Act
17and the application thereof shall not be affected thereby.