Bill
HB 3349
Accelerate and coordinate utility upgrades and planning to quickly energize new electrification loads, including optional flexible connections, with ICC oversight.
Status and procedural timeline
- Introduced by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II (with Chief Co‑Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty) — filed Feb 25 / first reading Feb 18, 2025.
- Passed the Illinois House (3rd reading and passage: May 2, 2025). Received by the Senate May 5, 2025; read first time and referred to the Senate Economic Development Committee (May 19, 2025).
- A House Floor Amendment (Amendment 001) was filed Apr 8, 2025 and recommended by the Public Utilities Committee. The amendment is reflected in the bill text and changes several definitions/thresholds.
- Effective date: the bill states it is effective immediately if enacted.
Purpose and intent
- To accelerate and coordinate upgrades to Illinois electrical distribution systems so the grid can promptly serve new and expanded loads associated with electrification (notably transportation electrification) and to help achieve State and federal decarbonization and air‑quality goals.
- Emphasizes timely energization of new housing, businesses, and charging infrastructure for light-, medium-, and heavy‑duty vehicles (and other electrified equipment), reduction of delays, and workforce capacity to complete necessary distribution work.
Key provisions and requirements
- Covered utilities: the introduced bill applied to utilities serving more than 200,000 customers; Amendment 001 raises that threshold to utilities serving more than 500,000 customers.
- Distribution upgrades: utilities must plan and upgrade distribution systems “as needed and in time” to meet decarbonization and air quality standards.
- Advance planning and procurement: utilities must conduct advance planning/engineering and advance‑order equipment (transformers, switchgear, etc.) so new customers can be energized without substantial delay.
- Prompt energization and upgrades: utilities must promptly energize new customers and upgrade existing service levels where needed (consistent with existing service obligations under the Public Utilities Act).
- Optional flexible connection (dynamic hosting capacity) option: utilities must offer a voluntary, tariffed “flexible connection” or dynamic hosting capacity agreement that uses demand‑response or controls to limit net import/export at the point of common coupling to remain within rated capacity—permitting immediate operation before permanent upgrades are completed.
- Communications infrastructure: utilities must plan/propose investments in secure, resilient, high‑bandwidth, low‑latency communications needed to support flexible connection options and related functions.
- Workforce: utilities must recruit, train, and retain a workforce sized and qualified to carry out planning, engineering, and construction without sacrificing ongoing operations.
- Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) actions: within 180 days of the Act’s effective date the ICC must establish target energization time periods for covered distribution utilities and associated reporting requirements; utilities must report compliance and reasons for any noncompliance.
- Other: the bill text also addresses staffing of an “electrification team,” cost recovery mechanisms, and safety standards (details of cost recovery and safety requirements are in the bill text).
Who is affected
- Primary: large electric distribution utilities (per amendment, those serving >500,000 customers).
- Secondary: developers, homebuilders, businesses, EV charging project owners/operators, fleet operators, and customers awaiting new service or service upgrades.
- Indirect: utility ratepayers (through potential cost recovery for upgraded infrastructure), workforce training programs, and state/regional decarbonization/air‑quality planning efforts.
Potential impacts
- Aims to reduce delays in connecting new electrified loads and accelerate deployment of EV charging and electrification projects.
- Could require utilities to hold more inventory (transformers, switchgear), invest in communications/control infrastructure, and expand workforce capacity — with associated costs (the bill contemplates cost recovery mechanisms).
- Facilitates interim operational options (flexible connections) that allow projects to operate before full distribution upgrades are completed, using demand management and controls.
Limitations / items to watch
- The bill applies only to utilities above the customer‑count threshold set in the amendment (utilities under the threshold are not covered).
- Specifics of cost recovery, tariff design for flexible connection options, and safety rules will be developed through ICC requirements and utility filings.
- Implementation timing depends on ICC rulemaking (180‑day deadlines) and subsequent utility planning and filings.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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