Rep. Brandon W. Phelps

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that certain gas natural utilities may recover expenditures made in relation to infrastructure modernization. Authorizes rates to be established on performance-based manner. Provides for customer assistance programs. Sets job creation and infrastructure modernization criteria. Authorizes recovery of delivery costs under a performance-based formula including incentive compensation expenses, pension expenses, and severance expenses. Provides for the deployment of advanced gas metering. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "covered farm vehicles" under the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Law. Provides that when trailers registered as farm trailers are hauled by a motor vehicle of the second division that is 12,000 pounds or less that is not registered as a farm truck, that truck is subject to privileges and limitations on use as though it were registered as a farm truck. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act and the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that under those Acts energy efficiency measures include a reduction in the amount of heat rate. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Enforcement Act. Provides that the county collector may declare an administrative sale in error if: (1) the mobile home was not subject to taxation; (2) the taxes had been paid prior to the sale of the mobile home; or (3) prior to the tax sale a voluntary or involuntary petition has been filed by or against the legal or beneficial owner of the mobile home requesting relief under the provisions of 11 U.S.C. Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13. Effective immediately.

Amends the Rental-Purchase Agreement Act. Provides that a rental-purchase agreement shall not be construed to be or governed by laws relating to a retail installment transaction, as defined under the Retail Installment Sales Act, or construed to be or governed by laws relating to a lease or agreement that constitutes a security interest, as defined in specified provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Amends the Chicago Police and Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the city shall deposit with the city treasurer, for the benefit of each of those funds, a minimum of 20% of all proceeds collected by the city from newly established gaming revenue sources arising out of legislation enacted in 2013 or thereafter. These deposits shall continue until the stabilization of the fund has been deemed to have occurred by an independent actuarial organization mutually agreed upon by the city and employee representatives. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides for payment for ground ambulance services under the medical assistance program. Provides that for ground ambulance services provided to a medical assistance recipient on or after January 1, 2014, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide payment to ground ambulance services providers for base charges and mileage charges based upon the lesser of the provider's charge, as reflected on the provider's claim form, or the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule payment rates. Provides that effective January 1, 2014, the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule shall be established and shall include only the ground ambulance services payment rates outlined in the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule as promulgated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in effect as of July 1, 2013 and adjusted for the 4 Medicare Localities in Illinois, with an adjustment of 80% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule payment rates, by Medicare Locality, for both base rates and mileage for all counties. Provides that for ground ambulance services provided where the point of pickup is in a rural county, the Department shall pay an amount equal to one and one-half times the ground mileage rate for the first 17 miles of such a transport and the ground mileage rate for the remaining miles of the transport. Makes other changes in connection with medical assistance payments for ground ambulance services. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning findings of public bodies and the Department of Labor.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning notification of dispositions of certain criminal cases.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Commerce Commission may require gas utilities to keep accounts that reflect depreciation and other specified information. Effective immediately.