HB3278
View on ILGAEPA-PLASTIC PELLET FREE WATERS
What this bill does
Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.
Stuck
P(Advance)
Chance it ever
reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
Chance it becomes
law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Forecast
Low
P(law) at intro —
sponsor & topic only; no progress or delay.
Confidence: 59%
Calculating prediction drivers...
Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Crossed Chambers · Last action 317 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
Joyce Mason
Moderate Influence (#85)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills sponsored by Joyce Mason advance 1% more often than the chamber average.
Public Engagement
33 witness slips filed
29 proponents / 2 opponents
17 organizations
Witness slips
33 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Logue | SSI | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 | |
| Blake Andonov | Illinois Environmental Council | Illinois Environmental Council | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Cynthia Linton | Self | Climate Reality Project - Chicago Chapter | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Kay Ahaus | Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens | Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Laura Davis | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Nicole Saulsberry | sierra club Illinois | Sierra Club Illinois | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| William Ahaus | Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| William Koehl | Self | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Andrea Densham | Alliance for the Great Lakes | Alliance for the Great Lakes | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Blake Andonov | Illinois Environmental Council | Illinois Environmental Council | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Brian Gill | John G. Shedd Aquarium | John G. Shedd Aquarium | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Catherine Cava | Nonr | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Catherine Mc Donald | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| David McEllis | Environmental Law and Policy Center | Environmental Law and Policy Center | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Donald Oplt | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Emily Kowalski | Environment Illinois | Environment Illinois | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Gail Cohen | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 | |
| Jackie McGrath | None | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Joanne Fessett | Illinois Audubon Society | Organization | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Manisha Reddy Devidi | Northwestern University | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Mary Grose | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Nicole Saulsberry | sierra club Illinois | Sierra Club Illinois | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Paul Berland | Self | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Sandy Crawford | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Tessa Murray | Friends of the Chicago River | Friends of the Chicago River | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Toni Louise Oplt | self | Metro East Green Alliance | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Toni Louise Oplt | self | self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| William Koehl | Self | Self | Proponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Donovan Griffith | Illinois Manufacturers' Association | Illinois Manufacturers' Association | Opponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Marcus Branstad | ACC | American Chemistry Council | Opponent | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
| Charlotte Dreizen | Plastics Industry Association | Plastics Industry Association | No Position On Merits | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-20 |
| Charlotte Dreizen | Plastics Industry Association | Plastics Industry Association | No Position On Merits | Energy & Environment | 2025-03-18 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Energy & Environment | 15 | 4 | 0 | 10 | Passed | 11 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 68 | 38 | 0 | 12 | Passed | 30 | — |
Action History
23 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-05-27 — Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Graciela Guzmán. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-06
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Joyce Mason House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-18
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-18
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-06
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Anne Stava Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-03-11
Committee Assignment
Assigned toEnergy & Environment Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-13
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Joyce Mason
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-13
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-18
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toEnergy & Environment Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-20
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted inEnergy & Environment Committee; by Voice Vote
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-20
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass as Amended / Short DebateEnergy & Environment Committee; 015-004-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-03-21
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-03-26
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-03-26
Floor Process
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill was ready for Second Reading but was paused/held by the sponsor. Usually indicates the sponsor is still negotiating amendments or gathering votes. NOT a negative signal — the sponsor controls the pace.
2025-04-07
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-07
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed068-038-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-04-08
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-08
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 9, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Camille Y. Lilly Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Julie A. Morrison Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-14
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-14
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-15
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Hoan Huynh Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-05-27
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Graciela Guzmán Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-06 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Joyce Mason House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-18 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-18 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-06 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Anne Stava Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-11 | House | Assigned toEnergy & Environment Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-13 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Joyce Mason | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-13 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-18 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toEnergy & Environment Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-20 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted inEnergy & Environment Committee; by Voice Vote | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-20 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short DebateEnergy & Environment Committee; 015-004-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-21 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-26 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-26 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | — |
| 2025-04-07 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-07 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed068-038-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-08 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-08 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 9, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Camille Y. Lilly Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Julie A. Morrison Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-15 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Hoan Huynh Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-27 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Graciela Guzmán Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |