HB 3278 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

EPA-PLASTIC PELLET FREE WATERS

Summary

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 8, 2025 Last action May 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 7, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its primary focus from a broad prohibition on plastic pellets in wastewater to a specific requirement for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans. The new version mandates that facilities regulated under federal rules must include best management practices to control plastic pellets in stormwater runoff within one year, replacing the previous directive to adopt general effluent limitations.

Scope change

The scope was narrowed from a comprehensive ban on plastic pellet discharge in all wastewater and runoff to a targeted requirement for stormwater management plans specifically for facilities regulated under 40 CFR 414 or 40 CFR 463.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the requirement to adopt general effluent limitations for plastic pellets with a mandate to develop and implement Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans.

Added specific language requiring the control of plastic pellets in stormwater runoff from facilities regulated under 40 CFR 414 or 40 CFR 463.

Removed the explicit prohibition on discharging plastic pellets into wastewater and runoff from point sources.

TIMELINE

Changed the implementation deadline from 'not later than 60 days' to 'within one year' after the effective date.

ENFORCEMENT

Shifted the enforcement mechanism from direct prohibitions in permits to the inclusion of best management practice requirements in NPDES permits.

Floor votes · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

68–38

Passed · 12 other

Total votes 118

Apr 7, 2025

D Democratic78

68 Yea 10

87% Yea

R Republican40

38 Nay 2

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 068-038-000

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 015-004-000

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Energy & Environment Committee; by Voice Vote

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Joyce Mason

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 10 co-sponsors