103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3074 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage the installation of distributed energy resources, such as distributed generation technology and advanced energy storage, and to limit obstacles to their use. Establishes that within 180 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a grant program facilitating the implementation of an online permitting process for residential photovoltaic solar energy systems for the purpose of modernizing and reducing the cost and time to obtain building permits for distributed generation. Provides that jurisdictions requiring permits for such systems may apply for a grant of up to $20,000 from the Department. Requires the Department to allocate a minimum of $1,000,000 in eligible funds to provide grants under the program. Requires the Department to disclose in a report on its website each jurisdiction which received a grant, the amount of each grant, the anticipated implementation date of the recipient jurisdiction's automated permitting platform, and other relevant information. LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3074 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage the installation of distributed energy resources, such as distributed generation technology and advanced energy storage, and to limit obstacles to their use. Establishes that within 180 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a grant program facilitating the implementation of an online permitting process for residential photovoltaic solar energy systems for the purpose of modernizing and reducing the cost and time to obtain building permits for distributed generation. Provides that jurisdictions requiring permits for such systems may apply for a grant of up to $20,000 from the Department. Requires the Department to allocate a minimum of $1,000,000 in eligible funds to provide grants under the program. Requires the Department to disclose in a report on its website each jurisdiction which received a grant, the amount of each grant, the anticipated implementation date of the recipient jurisdiction's automated permitting platform, and other relevant information. LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3074 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage the installation of distributed energy resources, such as distributed generation technology and advanced energy storage, and to limit obstacles to their use. Establishes that within 180 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a grant program facilitating the implementation of an online permitting process for residential photovoltaic solar energy systems for the purpose of modernizing and reducing the cost and time to obtain building permits for distributed generation. Provides that jurisdictions requiring permits for such systems may apply for a grant of up to $20,000 from the Department. Requires the Department to allocate a minimum of $1,000,000 in eligible funds to provide grants under the program. Requires the Department to disclose in a report on its website each jurisdiction which received a grant, the amount of each grant, the anticipated implementation date of the recipient jurisdiction's automated permitting platform, and other relevant information. LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b A BILL FOR HB3074LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 AN ACT concerning State government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic 5 Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois 6 is amended by adding Section 605-1110 as follows: 7 (20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new) 8 Sec. 605-1110. Small Solar Online Permitting Grant 9 Program. 10 (a) The General Assembly finds and declares all of the 11 following: 12 (1) It is the policy of the State to promote and 13 encourage the installation of distributed energy 14 resources, such as distributed generation technology and 15 advanced energy storage, and to limit obstacles to their 16 use. 17 (2) Onsite solar energy and onsite energy storage are 18 leading renewable distributed energy resource technologies 19 that will help this State reach its energy and 20 environmental goals, as well as provide essential 21 resiliency benefits at times of high energy demand and in 22 the event of grid outages. 23 (3) Implementation of consistent statewide standards 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3074 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage the installation of distributed energy resources, such as distributed generation technology and advanced energy storage, and to limit obstacles to their use. Establishes that within 180 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a grant program facilitating the implementation of an online permitting process for residential photovoltaic solar energy systems for the purpose of modernizing and reducing the cost and time to obtain building permits for distributed generation. Provides that jurisdictions requiring permits for such systems may apply for a grant of up to $20,000 from the Department. Requires the Department to allocate a minimum of $1,000,000 in eligible funds to provide grants under the program. Requires the Department to disclose in a report on its website each jurisdiction which received a grant, the amount of each grant, the anticipated implementation date of the recipient jurisdiction's automated permitting platform, and other relevant information. LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b A BILL FOR 20 ILCS 605/605-1110 new LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074- 2 -LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 2 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 2 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of 2 solar energy systems as well as energy storage systems is 3 not a municipal affair but is instead a matter of 4 statewide concern. The permitting processes governing the 5 installation of onsite solar energy systems and energy 6 storage systems vary widely across jurisdictions and, 7 contrary to the intent of the law, are both obstacles to 8 the State's clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction 9 goals and burdensome costs to homeowners, businesses, 10 schools, and public agencies. 11 (4) The United States Department of Energy, through 12 its SunShot Initiative, has distributed millions of 13 dollars in grants to local and state governments, 14 including a number of State jurisdictions, to reduce the 15 costs of rooftop solar through automated and standardized 16 permitting. 17 (5) A modernized, automated, and standardized 18 permitting process for installations of small-scale solar 19 technology on residential rooftops, energy storage 20 technology in residences, and associated distributed 21 energy resource technology in residences will lower 22 administrative costs for and time spent by municipalities 23 throughout the State, while maintaining safety standards. 24 (6) A modernized, automated, and standardized 25 permitting process for installations of small-scale solar 26 technology on residential rooftops, energy storage HB3074 - 2 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074- 3 -LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 3 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 3 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 technology in residences, and associated distributed 2 energy resource technology in residences will lower costs 3 of the deployment of solar and battery solutions, help to 4 expand access to lower-income households, provide solar 5 customers greater installation ease, improve the State's 6 ability to reach its clean energy goals, expand grid 7 resiliency solutions, and generate much needed jobs in the 8 State, all while maintaining safety standards. 9 (7) A modernized, automated, and standardized 10 permitting process for installations of small-scale solar 11 technology on residential rooftops, energy storage 12 technology in residences, and associated distributed 13 energy resource technology will increase efficiencies in 14 local government, reducing costs and time requirements for 15 local jurisdiction staff. 16 (b) For the purposes of this Section: 17 "Economically disadvantaged community" means areas of one 18 or more census tracts where the average household income does 19 not exceed 80% of the area median income. 20 "Energy storage system" means commercially available 21 technology that is capable of absorbing energy and storing it 22 for a period of time for use at a later time, including, but 23 not limited to, electrochemical, thermal, and 24 electromechanical technologies, and may be interconnected 25 behind the customer's meter or interconnected behind its own 26 meter. HB3074 - 3 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074- 4 -LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 4 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 4 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 "Jurisdiction" means any unit of local government 2 providing building or electrical permits to small photovoltaic 3 solar energy systems. 4 "Photovoltaic solar energy system" means a solar collector 5 or other solar energy device the primary purpose of which is to 6 provide for the collection, storage, or distribution of 7 electricity created from sunlight. 8 "Small residential photovoltaic solar energy system" means 9 a photovoltaic solar energy system with an installed direct 10 current capacity no greater than 25 kilowatts. 11 "SolarAPP+" means the most recent version of a web-based 12 portal, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 13 United States Department of Energy, that automates plan 14 review, produces code-compliant approvals, and issues permits 15 instantaneously for small residential photovoltaic solar 16 energy systems and energy storage systems. 17 (c) Within 180 days of the effective date of this 18 amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, the Department 19 shall create and administer a grant program facilitating the 20 implementation of an automated online permitting process for 21 residential photovoltaic solar energy systems for the purpose 22 of modernizing and reducing the cost and time to obtain 23 building permits for distributed generation. Jurisdictions 24 requiring permits for such systems may apply for a grant of up 25 to $20,000 from the Department. A jurisdiction that accepts a 26 grant shall implement an online, automated permitting HB3074 - 4 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074- 5 -LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 5 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 5 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 platform, such as, but not limited to, SolarAPP+, that 2 verifies code compliance and issues valid and usable permits 3 in real time for eligible technologies. Online platforms shall 4 include an inspection checklist and be consistent with the 5 system parameters and configurations of SolarAPP+. As needed, 6 a jurisdiction may amend its ordinance to authorize a small 7 solar energy system, an energy storage system, or other 8 eligible technology to use the online, automated permitting 9 platform, as well as update its code as pertains to such 10 technologies to the most recent version of the National 11 Electrical Code, International Building Code, and 12 International Residential Code available at that time. 13 A jurisdiction that accepts a grant shall ensure its 14 online permitting platform includes: 15 (1) a clear description of all information required to 16 obtain a permit; 17 (2) the electrical, building, and residential code 18 year governing the jurisdiction's permitting requirements 19 for small residential photovoltaic solar energy systems 20 and energy storage systems; and 21 (3) the means to electronically pay for all permits 22 for solar photovoltaic solar energy systems and energy 23 storage systems. 24 (d) Nothing in this Section prohibits a jurisdiction that 25 accepts a grant from using grant funds to modernize its 26 permitting system for other items within that jurisdiction, so HB3074 - 5 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074- 6 -LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 6 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b HB3074 - 6 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b 1 long as the core goals described in this Section are achieved. 2 (e) In establishing the grant program, the Department 3 shall expedite processing grant applications from local 4 jurisdictions serving environmental justice communities as 5 defined by the Illinois Power Agency under the Illinois Power 6 Agency Act and economically disadvantaged communities. 7 (f) The Department shall allocate a minimum of $1,000,000 8 in eligible funds received under the federal Inflation 9 Reduction Act, federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 10 or other funding sources to provide grants under the program. 11 (g) Each quarter, the Department shall disclose through a 12 report available on its website each jurisdiction which 13 received a grant, the amount of each grant, the anticipated 14 implementation date of the recipient jurisdiction's automated 15 permitting platform, and other information deemed relevant by 16 the Department. The Department shall also maintain on its 17 website a list of jurisdictions utilizing an online automated 18 permitting platform. HB3074 - 6 - LRB103 30667 MXP 57128 b