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HB 2980

Relating to wildlife.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Andersen and 22 co-sponsors

HB 2980 broadens who may run state-funded Cycle Rider Safety courses to include colleges, gov agencies, and private providers, while tightening procurement, pay, and oversight.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2980

Summary — HB 2980 (Cycle Rider Safety — Various)

Status & key dates
- Bill #: HB 2980 (introduced Feb 6 / filed Feb 18, 2025)
- Passed Illinois House: 3/10/2025 (Third Reading, passed 114–0)
- Arrived in Senate: 4/14/2025; Chief Senate sponsor: Sen. Seth Lewis; added Alternate Chief Co‑Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer (5/21/2025).
- Effective date (if enacted): January 1, 2026.

Purpose
- To amend the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act to (a) revise definitions of “cycle” and “provider”, (b) broaden and clarify who may provide state‑funded motorcycle training, and (c) set procurement, payment, quality‑assurance, insurance, and employment‑policy requirements for providers.

Major substantive changes and provisions
- Definition changes
- The bill removes “motor driven cycle” and “moped” from the statutory definition of “cycle,” narrowing the Act’s vehicle scope (effectively focusing on motorcycles as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code).
- Adds a statutory definition of “Cycle Rider Safety Training Course Provider” (or “provider”) to include community colleges, state universities, state/local government agencies, and for‑profit or nonprofit businesses, community agencies or organizations capable of delivering courses that meet Department standards.

  • Solicitation and course eligibility

    • Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) shall publish notices seeking providers on an as‑needed basis.
    • Courses must be open to state residents with a currently valid driver’s license who are at least 16 years old before the first day of class. Courses may run year‑round.

  • Provider bids, contracts, and fees

    • Responses must state class location, intended enrollment, whether provider or Department motorcycles will be used, and per‑student costs.
    • Contracts awarded based on training needs, cost‑effectiveness, and organizational capacity.
    • Providers may charge a nominal registration fee set by the Department; the fee must be refunded when a student completes the course.

  • Payment rules and allowable reimbursements

    • Providers paid grant funds only under narrow conditions:
    • Course was held — payment = per‑student rate × number of students present on first day.
    • Submitted expenses for maintenance of program (Department‑owned) equipment.
    • Other non‑personnel expenses as approved by the Department.

  • Provider obligations and oversight

    • Must submit proof that instructors meet qualification standards.
    • Maintain at least one employee certified to conduct quality‑assurance/control visits and perform at least one such visit per instructor annually; results submitted to the Department.
    • Maintain appropriate liability insurance, submit payment requests timely, and follow additional Department rules and regulations.

  • Employment restrictions

    • Providers receiving grant funding are prohibited from adopting policies or asking applicants about employees’ off‑duty manner of dress.

  • Funding and contracting authority

    • IDOT authorized to award contracts from the Cycle Rider Safety Training Fund to qualifying providers and regional training centers.

Procedural notes / rulemaking
- An earlier House amendment (HA1) added an emergency‑rulemaking authorization to allow rapid implementation; a later amendment (HA2) removed that emergency rule section. The current legislative text removes the emergency‑rule provision and retains the substantive provider and program changes.

Potential impacts
- Expands who may operate state‑supported rider training (including private providers), potentially increasing course availability.
- Narrows covered vehicle types to primarily motorcycles (excluding mopeds/motor‑driven cycles), changing who must take or may rely on these courses for licensing or safety training.
- Establishes clearer procurement, payment, and oversight rules that could standardize training quality and limit improper grant payments; adds insurance and reporting requirements for providers.
- Prohibiting off‑duty dress policies for grant recipients affects employer practices for contracted providers.

For further tracking
- Bill remains in the Senate (referred to Assignments); follow Senate committee actions and any conference or technical amendments before final enactment.

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

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