June 2, 2017
HBAI End of Session Bullets
Bill Ward, Executive Vice President, HBAI
This is our annual report of bills considered in the Illinois General Assembly that were monitored by your state association. Should you need further information on any of these bills, feel free to write me at billward@hbai.org.
I want to thank the HBAI Government Affairs Committee and our Local Executives who participated in our weekly review of bills being considered in the 100th Illinois General Assembly Spring Session. These conference calls were staged each Monday prior to the session week and have been ongoing since Mid-January. Their exceptional dedication to our industry is what keeps good bills moving and bad bills from passing. Thank You for your guidance and leadership.
SB09 (Hutchinson/Davis) – Omnibus Tax Bill that contained the Home Repair Tax. That particular tax was deleted on May 23rd after intense opposition by HBAI. The bill passed the Senate but was held from final consideration in the House (HBAI Neutral as amended).
HB3751 (Moylan) – Would have stripped developer’s authority to choose the insurance tool for insuring the completion of public infrastructure improvements. The authority would have been given to units of local government. HBAI was vehemently opposed and headed a group of business and trade associations that applied enough opposition to keep the sponsor from calling the bill on the House floor.
HB2525 (Hoffman/Raul) – Democratic version of Worker’s Compensation Reform, passed both Houses. Most business associations including HBAI opposed the measure and will request a Veto from Gov. Rauner.
SB1720 (Biss/Hernandez) – Increases penalties for various Labor Law Violations including a Class 4 Felony for repeated & willful offenders. Includes violations to the Employee Classification Act. HBAI opposes and will request a Veto of the bill.
SB1296 & HB2771(Mitchell/Hutchinson) – Mandated Paid Sick Leave for employees of businesses of all sizes. Neither bill passed, HBAI and many business groups opposed.
HB2756 & SB1337 (Fortner/Rezin) – Would have expanded the number of counties that could operate Stormwater commissions, but with new front-door referendum requirements to implement. HBAI and the Realtors were neutral as amended, but neither bill made it to final passage.
SB81 (Lightford/Guzzardi) – Gradually raises state minimum wage to $15 per hour. HBAI was neutral on the bill. Governor will likely Veto.
HB3826 (Fortner/Connelly) – HBAI legislation to prohibit transfer taxes on homes that have been assessed impact fees. Passed the House but was held from consideration in the Senate Revenue Committee.
HB3001 (Rita/Hastings) – Amends the Security Deposit Act to hold a lessor harmless when lessee fails to provide correct address for the return of a security deposit. HBAI supports the measure that passed both Houses.
SB03 (T. Cullerton/Yingling) – Provides some new local government consolidations. Passed both Houses, HBAI Supports.
SB13 (Radogno) – Would have frozen property tax extensions for two years. Bill was held from final consideration in the Senate. HBAI supported all property tax freezes whether they were for 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, or permanent.
SJRCA 1 (Harmon) – Constitutional amendment allowing for a graduated Illinois Income Tax. HBAI opposed the measure that was held from final consideration in the Senate.
HB3639 (Breen) – Would have expanded home rule powers to all counties with exception to taxation, fees, and incurring debt. HBAI, the Realtors, and the Ill. Bankers Association opposed the measure that was never received a hearing in committee.
HB511 (Breen) – Would have expanded home rule powers to non-home rule units with exception to taxation, fees, and incurring debt. HBAI, Illinois Assoc. of Realtors, and Ill. Bankers Association opposed this measure which did not receive a hearing in the House.
HB732 (Burke/Martinez) – Agreed bill between HBAI and the Ill. Roofing Contractors Assoc. which requires a licensed roofing contractor to perform roofing repair work on commercial property under certain conditions. Bill passed both Houses.
HB366 (McDermed) – Increases penalties for violations to the Employee Classification Act. HBAI opposed and the Sponsor pulled the bill from consideration.
HB813 (Hoffman) – Would require 90 (now 60) day layoff notice for businesses employing 65 (now 75) employees. HBAI opposed along with many other business groups. The bill was held from final consideration in the House.
HB2351 (Currie) – Provides that a lien exists on an employer’s property for the amount of unpaid wages owed to an employee. HBAI and many other business groups opposed this bill that was held from final consideration in the House.
SB60 (Clayborne/Demmer) – Provides for the regulation of tap on fees in township water districts. Bill passed the Senate but was held from final consideration in the House. (HBAI Supports)
HB2462 (Moeller/Biss) – Prohibits an employer from seeking the wage and benefits history of any job applicant. HB2462 passed both Houses with bi-partisan support, HBAI was neutral as amended.
HB2749 (Guzzardi) – Would have created an overtime wages law for employees making less than $47,476 per year. HBAI and other business groups opposed this bill that did not receive final consideration in the Senate.
HB3181 (Ammons) & HB2958 (Fine) – Prohibits the sale of coal tar sealant products. HBAI and many other business groups opposed these bills which did not receive passage in the House.
SB1832 (Mulroe) – Amends the Mechanics Lien Act to create a retainage trust for funds held over 5% of contract with a contractor or subcontractor. The bill did not receive final passage in the Senate. HBAI monitored the bill but took no position.
SB1807 (Harmon/Burke) – Prohibits units of local government from entering into any future, exclusive agreements for the disposal of construction and demolition debris. This bill passed both Houses, HBAI was neutral.
SB1415 (Holmes/Willis) – Allows TIF funds to be used for the taxing district’s capital or operating costs (currently, only capital) resulting from a redevelopment project. This bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House. HBAI was neutral on the bill.
SB1821 (Althoff) – Would have repealed several professional licensure Acts including landscaping. The bill was held from final consideration in the Senate. HBAI was neutral.
HB3921 (Moylan) – Would have created a 15 day right of rescission for senior citizens for services & merchandise sold door-to-door (currently 3). HBAI was neutral on the measure on this bill that did not receive final consideration in the House.
HB2615 (McDermed) – Would have prohibited lien waivers as a condition of a subcontractor receiving a contract to do business with a contractor (already in current law). Also would have allowed for oral agreements on lien waivers. HBAI opposed this particular provision. The bill did not receive a hearing for consideration for passage.
HB2816 (Sente) – Would have required that 5% of materials used in all new construction must be recycled materials. HBAI opposed this measure and the sponsor held the bill from any consideration.
SB1996 (Harmon) – Would have required all closing letters providing closing protection be issued by no other entity other than a title insurance company. HBAI was neutral. The bill did not receive a final vote in the Senate.
SB1513 (Lightford) – Would have required no less than 15% of all labor hours on a prevailing wage contract in excess of $250,000 be performed by apprentices of that trade. HBAI opposed, the bill received no vote for consideration in the Senate.
SB326 (Harmon/Feigenholtz) – Creates new requirements for the Registered Interior Designers Act. Expands the Mechanics Lien Act to include work by or on the orders of a registered interior designer. HBAI was neutral on this bill that passed both Houses.
