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HB 3704

WATER COMMISSION CONSTRUCTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Larry Walsh

HB 3704 lets regional water commissions use a project labor agreement either with the local trades council or directly with the contractor, before construction.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3704

Summary — HB 3704 (Illinois, 104th General Assembly)

Title: WATER COMMISSION CONSTRUCTION
Primary sponsor: Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
Statute amended: 65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-35 (Regional Water Commission Division, Illinois Municipal Code)
Status (most recent): Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee. Introduced Feb 18, 2025; filed Mar 4, 2025. Effective date: immediately upon enactment (per bill).

Purpose / Intent

HB 3704 modifies procurement and labor-agreement requirements for construction (and related) projects carried out by regional water commissions. The bill revises who must enter into a project labor agreement (PLA) in connection with construction of all or part of a waterworks system or other public improvements of the commission.

Key change (plain language)

Current statutory language requires the commission itself to enter into a project labor agreement with the applicable local building trades council prior to commencing construction, renovation, demolition, or any material change to structure or land. HB 3704 expands the permissible arrangement by allowing either:
- the commission to enter into a PLA with the applicable local building trades council, or
- the applicable local building trades council to enter into a PLA directly with the general contractor selected by the commission,
provided a PLA is in place before construction begins.

The bill inserts this alternative contracting pathway into Section 11‑135.5‑35 and makes the change effective immediately upon enactment.

Other provisions in the amended section (context)

Section 11‑135.5‑35 also addresses revenue funds, rate-setting, pension contributions as operating costs, enforcement remedies for bondholders, bidding/contract thresholds (work exceeding the greater of $25,000 or the municipal bid threshold), emergency procurement procedures, and authorization for alternative project delivery methods (e.g., design‑build, construction‑manager‑at‑risk). HB 3704 affects only the PLA-related language in that section as summarized above.

Who is affected

  • Regional water commissions and their governing commissioners (procurement practice and contracting options)
  • Local building trades councils (may negotiate PLAs directly with contractors)
  • General contractors (may become direct PLA signatories with trades councils)
  • Municipalities served by commissions, bondholders, and potentially project labor/union stakeholders

Potential impacts

  • Provides procurement flexibility: permits direct PLA negotiation between unions and the selected contractor rather than requiring commission-to-union agreement.
  • May accelerate project startup when commission prefers not to be a PLA signatory or when parties prefer a contractor‑council agreement.
  • Could shift certain administrative or enforcement responsibilities depending on which party signs the PLA; may affect labor relations and dispute resolution pathways.
  • No direct dollar appropriations or rate changes are specified; applicability is subject to existing bidding thresholds and the other procedural requirements in the statute.

Legislative timeline & related bills

  • Introduced/First reading: Feb 18, 2025 (filed Mar 4, 2025)
  • Committee activity: Referred to Rules, Labor & Commerce, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence; committee hearings and substitutes April 2025; reported to Calendars.
  • Companion bills: SB 693 and SB 2359.

(For exact statutory text and to confirm procedural deadlines, consult the enrolled bill or legislative clerk.)

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

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