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HB 2535

Creating additional sentences for convicted inmates who test positive for illegal substances or who are found to be in possession of illegal or controlled substances

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Brooks and 3 co-sponsors

Guarantees fire protection districts access to nearby water/sewer systems for fire facilities and caps public utilities' fire protection charges to fair, transparent rates.

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Bill Summary · HB 2535

HB 2535 — Utility Fire Protection Fee (Summary)

Status: House Floor Amendment No. 1 adopted and bill re‑referred to Rules Committee (Amendment filed 4/2/2025). Primary sponsor: Rep. Nabeela Syed.

Note on scope: House Floor Amendment No. 1 replaces the bill’s original text. The current bill, as amended, addresses (1) access to water and sewer for fire protection districts and (2) limits on public utility “fire protection” charges under the Public Utilities Act.

Purpose / Intent

  • Ensure fire protection districts have reliable access to nearby municipal waterworks and sewerage systems needed for fire stations, apparatus, and facilities.
  • Limit and standardize fees that public utilities may charge municipalities or fire protection districts for fire protection service capacity, connections, and usage.

Key provisions

  1. Findings

  2. Legislative findings underscore that access to water and sanitary sewer is essential for fire districts to preserve life and property.

  3. Fire Protection District Act — new Section 11n (Water supply access)

  4. A fire protection district may connect to and use the nearest available waterworks and sewerage system controlled or operated by a unit of local government for fire stations, apparatus, and fire protection facilities.

  5. The district may install, maintain, and operate necessary infrastructure for such connections (examples listed: pipes, pumps, hydrants, storage), subject to applicable laws/regulations.

  6. A unit of local government controlling the nearest system may not deny or restrict connection without “good cause.”

  7. Disputes between a fire protection district and another entity over access must be negotiated in good faith; if negotiation fails, the bill provides for a regulatory petition process (intended to involve the appropriate state regulatory authority) to determine reasonable access.

  8. Fee limits: connection fee charged to a fire protection district shall not exceed the connection fee charged to any residential customer; usage fee shall not exceed twice the residential usage fee.

  9. Home rule limitation: home‑rule units may not enact regulations inconsistent with this Section; the Section is a denial and limitation of home‑rule powers.

  10. Public Utilities Act — amendment to Section 9‑223 (Fire protection charge)

  11. Any fire protection charge imposed by a public utility (for providing capacity, facilities and water to meet fire protection needs) must be shown separately and reflect costs associated with that service.

  12. The bill caps such a fire protection charge at no greater than the utility’s average cost spent on maintenance, connection, or use of fire protection services over the past 10 years.

Who is affected

  • Fire protection districts and their ability to connect to local water/sewer systems.
  • Local governments and municipal water/sewer utilities (especially those that are units of local government or home‑rule units).
  • Regulated public utilities that currently impose fire protection charges.
  • Residential ratepayers indirectly (fee caps reference residential charge levels).
  • Potentially the Illinois Commerce Commission or other regulatory bodies (for dispute resolution and enforcement).

Procedural notes / timeline

  • Introduced by Rep. Syed (filed early February 2025).
  • Referred to Rules Committee after adoption of House Floor Amendment No. 1 (amendment filed 4/2/2025; re‑referred 4/11/2025).
  • Passed out of the Public Utilities Committee (Do Pass, 3/18/2025).
  • Related/companion bills: HB 424, HB 232, HB 979, HB 1815.

Potential impacts

  • Reduces or limits what utilities can charge fire protection districts for fire‑related service capacity, potentially lowering costs for districts but affecting utility revenues or cost recovery mechanisms.
  • Strengthens fire protection districts’ legal ability to secure local water and sewer connections and to install infrastructure, while restricting local governments’ ability to deny access or impose higher fees.
  • Could increase negotiations/disputes between districts and utilities/municipalities; establishes a path to regulatory resolution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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