Bill
HB 2768
Illinois HB 2768 bars counties and municipalities from banning natural gas in new construction unless voters approve a referendum, limiting home-rule power in favor of state policy.
Note on source material
- The provided document contains text from two different bills both labeled “HB 2768” in different states. One is an Arizona appropriations bill and the other is an Illinois local-government bill about natural gas. Below are clear, separate summaries of each, with emphasis on the Illinois “COUNTY/MUNI—NATURAL GAS” content requested in the title.
Status and timeline (Illinois)
- Introduced in February 2025 (Rep. Jackie Haas).
- Passed both houses, signed by the Governor, effective September 1, 2025 (document legislative actions show passage and signature in May 2025).
- Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code by adding new sections: 55 ILCS 5/5‑1192 and 65 ILCS 5/11‑30‑11.
Purpose / intent
- To prevent counties and municipalities from banning (or effectively banning) the use of natural gas in new construction unless the prohibition is first approved by referendum. It also limits certain home‑rule authority to ensure state-level primacy on this issue.
Key provisions
- Prohibition on local regulation that “prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction” unless the measure is approved by a public referendum.
- Explicit statement that a home‑rule county or municipality may not regulate natural gas in a manner inconsistent with this new State law.
- The bill is expressed as a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on concurrent home‑rule powers — i.e., it curtails local authority in favor of state policy.
Who is affected
- Counties and municipalities: restricts ability to adopt building codes, ordinances, or other regulations that would ban or effectively preclude natural gas hookups in new construction.
- Developers, builders, and property owners: preserves the option to install and use natural gas in new buildings unless a local referendum decides otherwise.
- Utilities and natural gas suppliers: regulatory protections from local bans likely preserve customer base and infrastructure planning.
- Local policy-makers and voters: local governments may still prohibit natural gas only if voters approve a referendum.
Potential implications / considerations
- Limits local efforts to phase out gas for climate, health, or safety reasons; may require referendum to enact bans that otherwise could be adopted via ordinary ordinance or building-code change.
- The phrase “has the effect of prohibiting” is broad and could cover indirect measures (e.g., requiring all‑electric buildings by code) — implementation and legal interpretation may be contested.
- Reduces home‑rule discretion on energy/building policy and centralizes the decision to the state unless local voters act.
Status
- Introduced February 13, 2025 (Arizona House sponsors listed in the document). Status shown as “Referred to Rules Committee.”
Key provisions
- Appropriates $7,000,000 from the State General Fund for FY 2025–2026 to the University of Arizona.
- Purpose: infrastructure and vehicle upgrades to enhance campus safety.
- The appropriation is exempted from the state lapsing statute (A.R.S. § 35‑190), meaning the funds will not revert at the end of the fiscal year.
Who is affected
- University of Arizona campus operations and safety programs; vendors and contractors for infrastructure/vehicle upgrades.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a one‑page brief focused solely on the Illinois enactment (legal text, likely legal challenges, stakeholders).
- Draft annotated excerpts of the Illinois statutory additions for use in local government or utility FAQs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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