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HB 3540

Relating to the costs of compliance with electric energy standards for electric utilities.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Court Boice and 1 co-sponsor

HB 3540 guarantees a 5-year minimum BEP certification for new awards, requires vendors to report status changes, and obligates the program to give 6-month expiry notices.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3540

HB 3540 — BUSINESS ENTERPRISE‑CERTIFY (2025)

Overview / Purpose

HB 3540 amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS 575) by adding a new Section 4.1 to establish a minimum term for BEP certifications and set simple notification duties for both certified vendors and Program staff. The intent is to provide greater stability and predictability for certified vendors and to clarify responsibilities around changes in status and impending expirations.

Key provisions

  • Adds 30 ILCS 575/4.1 (new), titled “Term of certification.”
  • Certification term: Certifications granted under the amendatory Act on or after its effective date shall be active for a minimum of 5 years.
  • Vendor duty to report: Certified vendors must inform the Program of any changes in the vendor’s business status or ownership that may affect certification status.
  • Program notification duty: Program staff must notify the vendor at least 6 months before the vendor’s certification expires.

Who is affected

  • Certified vendors under the Business Enterprise program (minority-, women-, and disability‑owned businesses): benefit from a guaranteed minimum 5‑year active certification period for new certifications issued after the Act’s effective date; have an affirmative obligation to report material changes in status or ownership.
  • The State Program that administers BEP (staff and operations): must track expirations and provide advance notices; may experience shifts in workload (fewer renewal events per year but increased monitoring for reported changes).
  • State agencies and contracting officers: may see greater predictability when using BEP-certified vendors for contracting goals and planning.

Administrative/fiscal considerations

  • Potential administrative impact: fewer frequent recertifications could reduce recurring processing burden; however, staff must ensure timely 6‑month notices and process any vendor-reported changes that could trigger review or decertification.
  • No explicit fiscal figures in the bill.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced Feb 18, 2025, by Rep. Katie Stuart (HB 3540; 104th GA).
  • Assigned to committees, underwent hearings and a committee substitute; reported favorably as substituted.
  • Passed the originating chamber (recorded as passed and engrossed on 2025‑05‑15).
  • Transmitted to the other chamber, read and referred (read 1st time 2025‑05‑16; referred to Health & Human Services). Current status recorded as Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee.
  • Companion bill: SB 254.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor: Rep. Katie Stuart. Co‑sponsors: Reps. Jeff Keicher, Angelica Guerrero‑Cuellar, Sharon Chung, Nicholas K. Smith.

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

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