State/ National Chamber Updates

March 19, 2019

Highlights from Today:

Both the House and Senate returned to town today. The House is in Tues. - Thurs. whereas the Senate is in Tues. - Fri. The deadline for bill to be out of committee in the Senate is Friday.

SENATE
SB 1909 (Winters) passed the Senate Public Health Committee today. This bill requires certain group health insurance policies and other specified policies to provide coverage of medically necessary treatment for postpartum complications as determined by the woman's treating physician. The Chamber testified in opposition to this bill.

SB 1124 (Link) passed the Senate Public Health Committee today. This bill amends the Tobacco Products Tax Act and provides that, beginning on July 1, 2019, "tobacco products" also includes electronic cigarettes. The Sponsor will bring the bill back for an amendment.

SB 1829 (Bush) passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee today. This bill is an omnibus bill regarding state policy on sexual harassment. The Chamber testified and is neutral on the bill.

HOUSE
House Energy and Environment held a subject matter hearing on HB 2966(Davis) and HB 3624 (Williams). HB 2966 would expand the renewable portfolio standard to 40% and increase financing for the program while providing efficiencies. The bill, among other provisions, seeks to have the IPA procure battery storage projects by 2021. HB3624 calls for the state to decarbonize by 2030; require Illinois to take over capacity markets from PJM, carrying the water for the nuclear industry for now; a call to 100% renewables for the electricity sector by 2050; electrifying the transportation network, including rebates to install personal EV infrastructure; numerous job programs and community programs to promote clean energy. Panelists took questions from members on costs to customers and the business community, questions about siting for renewable facilities and local control, and concerns over a move to decarbonize the electricity sector by 2030 and what that means for electricity reliability and the Illinois economy.

HB 2076 (Villa) passed out of Energy and Environment 16-12-00. The bill would ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in paper products in business and banking records. It impacts receipts, so anyone that has a business that deals with point of sale receipts would likely be impacted. The Chamber opposed the bill.

HB 3700 (Costa Howard) passed the House Insurance Committee today. This bill deals with prescription inhalants for those 18 years old or younger suffering from asthma or other life-threatening bronchial ailments insurance mandate. Chamber is opposed.

HB 889 (Swanson) repasses the House Insurance Committee today. This bill requires an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan to provide coverage for long-term antibiotic therapy for a person with a tick-borne disease. The Chamber is opposed.

A subject matter hearing on HB 815 (Morgan) was held today. This bill Creates the Freedom from Aggressive Insurance Increases Review Act. We are opposed to this legislation.