Bill
HB 4803
HB 4803 enacts a centralized process to colocate high-voltage transmission on state highway rights-of-way, with interagency review, constructability planning, public input, and exp
Title: Electric Transmission Siting
Status and scope: Amendment to House Bill 4803 as introduced, redefining processes for siting high-voltage transmission infrastructure on public rights-of-way and Highway corridors in Illinois. Filed April 15, 2026 by Rep. Dave Vella. The amendment is organized to establish a comprehensive framework titled the Electric Transmission Highway Colocation Act, with expanded provisions for permit review, corridor analysis, constructability, labor requirements, and expedited certificate processes.
Key purpose and intent
- Create a centralized, codified process to colocate high-voltage electric transmission infrastructure on public rights-of-way and highway corridors.
- Require coordination among state agencies (Department of Transportation, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority) and federal authorities (Federal Highway Administration) to evaluate and approve colocation requests.
- Establish standards for constructability, safety, maintenance, and environmental and traffic considerations.
- Promote alignment of siting with public safety, transportation efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for electric customers.
- Impose project labor agreement requirements for construction.
Substantive provisions and changes
1) Short title
- Known as the Electric Transmission Highway Colocation Act.
2) Definitions (Section 5)
- Agency: Can be the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, depending on which public right-of-way is involved.
- Department/Authority: DOT or ISHTA, as applicable.
- High-voltage electric service line and high-voltage transmission infrastructure: Definitions for scope of transmission-related facilities.
- Public utility: Applies as defined in the Public Utilities Act.
- Secretary: Secretary of Transportation.
- Other defined terms cover the scope of transmission lines, power facilities, and related infrastructure.
3) High-voltage transmission line colocation requests (Section 10)
- A public utility can colocate on public rights-of-way or along highways if:
- Submits a colocation request to the Secretary or the ISHTA.
- The Secretary/Authority reviews and approves the request.
- The Federal Highway Administration does not object.
- The Secretary/Authority may deny if:
- Public safety would be endangered.
- The request would reduce efficacy/efficiency of transportation, hinder expansion, interfere with public assets, degrade highway function, or conflict with Agency projects.
- If denied, reasons must be reported to EPA, the Illinois Commerce Commission/Executive Director, and the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity within 90 days.
4) Consultation and constructability report (Section 15)
- Process for evaluating corridors: a utility may request DOT/Authority evaluation of corridors for possible siting.
- DOT/Authority must inform utilities about current plans affecting potential siting within corridors.
- After identifying an acceptable corridor location, prepare a constructability report addressing:
- Terms/conditions for siting, safety, operability, maintenance of highways.
- Plan to mitigate induced voltage.
- Maintenance plan (access, traffic control, vegetation, right-of-way restoration).
- Permit to use the right-of-way issued only after constructability report approval.
- Both the utility and Agency must follow the constructability report during planning/approval.
5) Relocation/removal (Section 20)
- If the Agency finds the utility is not meeting prescribed standards, corrective actions must be taken; failure could result in permit revocation and cessation of operations.
6) Project labor agreements (Section 25)
- High-voltage projects colocated under this Act must be built by general contractors that have entered into a project labor agreement prior to construction.
7) Rules authority (Section 30)
- Department and Authority may adopt implementing rules.
8) Amendments to the Public Utilities Act (Section 35)
- Substantive changes to Sections 8-406 and 8-406.1 (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity):
- Expanded definitions and procedures for “high voltage electric service lines” and “high-voltage transmission infrastructure,” with variants for different phases (existing vs. new expansions) and for direct current (DC) projects defined as “qualifying direct current projects.”
- For DC projects (b-5): Special expedited provisions allowing certain DC projects crossing Illinois borders to pursue certificates if they meet specific criteria, including potential joining a regional transmission organization (RTO) and cost/public-interest considerations.
- Nuclear-related provisions: Beginning January 1, 2026, rules governing construction of new nuclear reactors, including decommissioning funding, federal/state regulatory alignment, and timelines; emphasizes federal NRC precedence and sets constraints on new nuclear reactors unless certain conditions are met. These provisions clarify that not all future nuclear projects are authorized, and emphasizes strict federal-state coordination.
9) Expedited certificate process (Section 8-406.1)
- For new high-voltage projects, expedited procedures require:
- Comprehensive application contents (project description, maps, engineering data, right-of-way details, cost assumptions, etc.).
- Pre-filing public meetings: minimums of at least 3 meetings per county during the pre-filing stage, with notices in a general-circulation newspaper.
- Pre-filing notice to county clerks, inclusion of Commission representative at meetings.
- Public utility must maintain a project website three weeks before the first public meeting and through construction.
- 150-day decision deadline, with possible 75-day extension if good cause exists.
- One-time construction fee to counties where the project is built: $20,000 per mile of transmission, assessable within 30 days after construction completion; counties may distribute to local taxing districts.
- Order for construction and related facilities to be issued within the expedited process.
- Priority corridors ranking: existing utility corridors first, followed by highway corridors, then new utility corridors.
10) Notices and landowner outreach (Section 8-406.1 and related subsections)
- Certified mail notices to landowners for hearings.
- Required pre-filing/post-filing notices to landowners and counties; public meeting obligations.
11) Effective date and sunset
- The act specifies an effective date upon becoming law; references to multiple existing acts/supplemental dates indicate alignment with ongoing regulatory updates.
Who would be affected
- Public utilities seeking to place high-voltage lines on public rights-of-way or highway corridors.
- The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (as determining agencies for siting).
- Federal Highway Administration (as an objecting/consent body).
- County governments and local taxing districts that receive construction fees.
- Landowners along proposed corridors (notice and public meeting requirements).
- Contractors engaged on these projects (project labor agreement requirement).
Timeline and procedural notes
- Pre-filing public meetings must occur at least 6 months before filing, with notices 1 month prior to first meeting, and at least 3 meetings per county (or combined if applicable).
- Expedited certificate process sets a 150-day decision window after filing, extendable by 75 days with good cause.
- Construction fees payable within 30 days after completion of construction.
- For DC projects and certain nuclear provisions, specific transitional dates and criteria apply, with ongoing interplay with federal regulators and energy markets (PJM/MISO).
Bottom line
HB 4803, as amended, seeks to streamline and regulate the colocated siting of high-voltage transmission lines on state highway rights-of-way, requiring interagency coordination, rigorous constructability planning, public engagement, and a defined expedited certificate process, while also embedding labor standards and revenue-sharing with counties. It also introduces nuanced provisions for DC transmission projects and nuclear-related developments, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, safety, and reliability in Illinois’ electric transmission planning.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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