Science
By JOHN W. AHLEN

Legislature's record on science and technology

THE 81st session of the Illinois General Assembly put 51 pieces of science and technology legislation on the books in 1979 and 18 more on the governor's desk in 1980. Like much of the 1979 legislation, many of the bills awaiting Gov. James R. Thompson's judgment address environmental and energy matters — hazardous waste, nuclear safety, sulfur dioxide standards, alcohol fuels and alternative energy facilities.

Because of House and Senate rules which restrict consideration of bills in even-numbered years to emergency, government-oriented, appropriation, and committee-sponsored legislation, most activity was seen in the 1979 session.

The major science and technical bills passed in 1980 are summarized below. All are awaiting action by the governor, who has 60 days from the day of a bill's transmittal to decide.

Hazardous wastes

H.B. 3365, sponsored by Rep. J. Theodore Meyer (R., Chicago), would increase restrictions on hazardous waste disposal sites in Illinois. Certain hazardous wastes could be denied land-fill space if it is possible to economically process, recycle or neutralize them. Also to be established is the Hazardous Waste Research Fund (based on fees assessed at hazardous waste disposal sites) to be used by the Institute of Natural Resources for research and development of ways to reduce the hazardous characteristics of these wastes. An amendment to the Environmental Protection Act, this legislation also sets criteria stipulating that a permit for refuse collection or disposal may be issued or denied based on the waste site operator's experience and record of violations. Sent to the governor July 21.

Nuclear safety

By passing H.B. 3614 the legislature endorsed the governor's Executive Order No. 3 (1980) creating an Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (DNS). With an effective date of October 1, 1980, this bill reorganizes state government activities so that DNS would assume some powers and duties regarding nuclear power presently performed by the Department of Public Health, the State Fire Marshal and the Environmental Protection Agency. The DNS would also oversee and coordinate the nuclear regulatory functions performed by the Department of Law Enforcement, the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Department of Transportation. DNS also would be authorized to draw up a nuclear materials disposal program in Illinois.

By amending the Radiation Protection Act, H.B. 3614 directs that DNS be given 24-hour notice by carriers of spent nuclear fuel on the time and place of entrance into Illinois, proposed route, and amount and source of the spent fuel. Medical use of radiation will also be overseen by the DNS.

Sponsored by the House Committee on State Government Organization, H.B. 3614 also amends the Environmental Protection Act to direct the Pollution Control Board to establish radiation protection standards (to the extent allowed under the U.S. Constitution), and to require builders of future nuclear power plants in Illinois to file an environmental feasibility report with the DNS. Sent to the governor July 21.

Sulfur dioxide standards

Each house had a bill dealing with sulfur dioxide standards, and both passed the General Assembly in identical form. H.B. 536 and S.B. 1967 direct the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to propose sulfur dioxide emission standards just in compliance with and not stricter than National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Such standards are expected to promote the use of high sulfur Illinois coal. H.B. 536, sponsored by Democrats James Rea of Christopher, William Harris of Marion, Bruce Richmond of Murphysboro, and Vincent Birchler of Chester, was sent to the governor July 21. S.B. 1967, sponsored by Republicans James Rupp of Decatur, David Shapiro of Amboy, Stanley Weaver of Urbana, James "Pate" Philip of Wheaton, Don Moore of Midlothian, and Richard Walsh of Chicago, was sent to the governor July 7.

Alcohol fuels

Through H.B. 3403, sponsored by Republicans Harlan Rigney of Freeport and Nord Swanstrom of Pecatonica, the Institute of Natural Resources (IINR) will become more involved in alcohol fuels. This legislation, which amends the law establishing the IINR, directs that agency to seek funding and conduct research on the production and use of alcohol fuels, as well as to provide public information and to coordinate alcohol fuel programs among other state agencies. Sent to the governor July 17.

Alternate energy facilities

H.B. 1221, sponsored by Ralph Dunn (D., Decatur), exempts alternate energy facilities or equipment from sales tax and property tax. Exemptions under this legislation would apply to solar energy systems, devices that use solar energy to produce methane from agricultural waste products, and devices that use solar or wind energy to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of water. Several tax acts will be amended by this bill. Sent to the governor July 21.

Of the 5,600 bills considered during this biennium, more than 500, or 9 percent, addressed environmental, energy, transportation, communications and agricultural issues. The 80th General Assembly in 1977 and 1978 considered 389 science and technology bills, of which 70 or 18 percent were enacted (28 percent of all 5,342 bills became public acts in that biennium). In the 79th General Assembly, 374 of the 6,082 bills introduced were on science and technology matters, and 88 of those bills or 24 percent became law (the overall rate of passage for all bills was 25 percent).

Support for this column, which reports policy developments concerning science and technology, is provided in part by a National Science Foundation grant to the Illinois Legislative Council Science Unit, which is directed by John W. Ahlen.

September 1980/Illinois Issues/19