Rep. JoAnn D. Osmond

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Deletes the definition of "high level nuclear waste". Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes Lake County to establish an affordable housing trust fund. Provides that Lake County may, by ordinance or resolution, provide for an affordable housing trust fund surcharge in the amount of $3 for the recordation of any real estate-related document to fund the affordable housing trust fund. Defines "affordable housing trust fund" and "real estate-related document". Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that pupils enrolled in New Tech High at Zion-Benton East in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 shall be required to engage in courses of physical education 3 days a week (instead of daily) during the school day, within the school's modified block schedule. Provides that the school's pupils shall be required to document with their physical education course instructor an additional 120 minutes of physical activity per week outside of the classroom, with the types of physical activity that qualify being determined by the school. Makes related changes. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Defines "ski flag" as a red or orange flag measuring no less than 12 inches on each side, in the shape of a square or rectangle and mounted or displayed on a motorboat in such a manner as to be visible from every direction. Provides that a ski flag shall be displayed to indicate a downed water skier, a water skier in the water preparing to ski, a water skiing line extended from the motorboat, or a ski in the water in the vicinity of the motorboat. Provides that for the purposes of ski flag requirements, "water skier" includes persons engaged in all forms of water skiing or any activity where a person is towed behind or alongside a motorboat, including, but not limited to, barefoot skiing, tubing, skiing on other contrivances, wake boarding, and parasailing. Exempts from the new provisions performers engaged in professional exhibitions and persons engaged in a regatta, vessel or water skiing race or competition, or other marine event authorized by law. Provides that a violation of the new provisions is a petty offense punishable by a fine of $25, of which the moneys shall be deposited into the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules to implement the new provisions.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Animal Abuse Registry Fund. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall create and maintain an animal abuse registry. Provides that any person 18 years of age or older that resides in or is domiciled in this State that has been convicted of cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, or animal torture shall register with the Department of Agriculture within 30 calendar days after the date of conviction to be placed on the animal abuse registry. Failure to register is a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a subsequent violation. Prohibits a registered person from owning a companion animal or being employed at an animal shelter, pound, pet shop, zoo, or other business where companion animals are present.

Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to tax objection complaints, provides that the custodian of the funds for each taxing district that may be affected by the complaint or amended complaint has the right to representation by counsel of the taxing district's own choosing and is not required to accept representation by the State's Attorney. Requires the taxing district to notify the party filing the complaint and the State's Attorney if the district elects to use its own representation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Provides that the insurance operations of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan authorized by the Act shall cease on January 1, 2014 and that Plan coverage does not apply to service provided on or after January 1, 2014. Provides for the repeal of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act on January 1, 2015. Amends the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Law. Makes changes concerning the legislative intent of the Law. Sets forth definitions. Establishes the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange as a political subdivision, body politic and corporate. Provides that the Exchange shall be a public entity, but shall not be considered a department, institution, or agency of the State. Sets forth a provision concerning the certification of health benefit plans. Deletes references to the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Study Committee and establishes instead the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Oversight Committee within the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Provides that the governing and administrative powers of the Exchange shall be vested in a body known as the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Board and sets forth provisions concerning appointments, terms, meetings, structure, recusal, budget, and purpose. Sets forth provisions concerning enrollment through brokers and agents and producer compensation. Effective immediately.

Designates the date of November 30, 2013 as "Small Business Saturday" in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in 2013 only, the petition filing period for established political parties shall be extended to December 4, 2013. Requires the State Board of Elections to notify the public of the extended filing period. Effective immediately.