Sen. Frank C. Watson

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Reduces the amounts various fees to be collected by the Environmental Protection Agency. Sets forth new procedures for the collection of NPDES fees and requires that all moneys collected from the fees be deposited into the Illinois Clean Water Fund. Repeals Sections concerning air pollution operating permit fees and fees for water quality certification. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Clean Water Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reinstates the exemption from the tax imposed by these Acts for certain oil field exploration, drilling, and production equipment. Reinstates the exemption from the tax imposed by these Acts for coal exploration, mining, offhighway hauling, processing, maintenance, and reclamation equipment. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the executive committee of domestic mutual companies.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department's powers and duties.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Removes provisions allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to assess and collect NPDES discharge fees. Effective immediately.

Recognizes Senator Soden's dedicated service as a State Senator for the 23rd District.

Mourns the death of Michael "Mike" Baer of Springfield who worked on the Senate Republican staff.

Amends the Disaster Service Volunteer Leave Act and the Local Government Disaster Service Volunteer Act. Provides that State and local government employees who are assigned to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in accordance with specified laws or rules, may be granted leave upon request of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in the same manner as disaster service volunteers of the American Red Cross. Requires that work leave requests for out-of-state disasters shall be coordinated by the American Red Cross and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency through the Illinois State Emergency Operations Center. Authorizes the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to consult with the Department of Central Management Services on leave issues. Requires that leave for disasters within the United States or its territories shall not be unreasonably denied. Removes the requirement that leave for American Red Cross volunteers must be for service relating to a disaster in Illinois. Effective July 1, 2004.

Elects Scott Kaiser Assistant Secretary of the Senate for the remainder of the term of the 93rd General Assembly.

Amends the School Code. Allows a joint agreement made up of school districts or a regional superintendent of schools on behalf of schools and programs operated by the regional office of education to apply for a waiver or modification of mandates within the School Code and State Board of Education rules. Effective immediately.