Sen. Dale Fowler

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that for any license of a health care professional that expires during a public health emergency declared by the Governor, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall extend the expiration date of that license by 3 months. Provides that the fees for renewal of that license and the expiration date of the renewed license shall be the same fees and expiration date as though the license was renewed on the original expiration date. Defines "health care professional". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2024, the person's adjusted taxable estate shall not include the value of the decedent's ownership interest in qualified farm property. Provides that certain donations must be made to food banks for property to be considered qualified farm property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Repeals a Section providing that no person shall operate a personal watercraft or a specialty prop craft between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Adds provisions concerning an email address of record and for electronic delivery of certain notices to an email address of records. Provides for instances in which telehealth may be used. Provides that a veterinarian shall not substitute telehealth, teleadvice, telemedicine, or teletriage when a physical examination is warranted or necessary for an accurate diagnosis of any medical condition or creation of an appropriate treatment plan. Makes changes to provisions concerning: application for licensure; reports; procedures for refusal to license or issue certificate; and hearing officers, reports, and review. Removes provisions concerning: refusing to issue or renew, or revoking, suspending, placing on probation, reprimanding, or taking other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action for a conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside this State, of any violation of any law governing the practice of veterinary medicine; and certifying exhibits without cost. Repeals a provision requiring the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to maintain a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Congratulates Carrie (Griswold) Wiggins on her tenure as president of the Illinois Pharmacists Association.

Congratulates Southern Illinois University System President Dan Mahony, SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane, the administration, staff, and faculty on making SIU Carbondale a world-class institution. Welcomes the 2023 Saluki Takeover Tour to Springfield on October 25 - 26, 2023.

Mourns the passing of Graham Joseph Hosman.

Condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the State of Israel, expresses deepest sorrow to all innocent people impacted by this terrorist attack and for all the innocent lives lost in Israel and Gaza, calls for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the region, demands the release of the hostages being held by Hamas, prays for all deployed Americans, and opposes all organizations that use terror as a tactic, victimize innocent civilians, and intentionally undermine peace throughout the world.

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 Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government 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. Provides that the Commission shall only issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a public utility operating or located within the State or to a company with a fossil fuel-based power generator. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules concerning the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for the construction, purchase, or lease of small modular nuclear reactors. Provides requirements for the Commission to follow when adopting rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors. Provides that the Commission may adopt emergency rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors.