Maura Hirschauer backs bill to dissolve Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-49th) supported SB3229, which would repeal the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, according to the Illinois House; the House approved the bill by a vote of 85-31.

The official summary for the bill states: "EPA-REPEAL ENVIR LAB CERT COMM."

The following is an analysis of the actual bill text and may include interpretation to help clarify its key provisions.

Essentially, the bill would amend the Illinois Environmental Protection Act by removing all references to the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee and repealing the statutory language related to its creation and functions. While doing so, it would maintain the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's ability to set and collect annual administrative and certification assessments from environmental laboratories, manage assessment schedules, and oversee the Environmental Laboratory Certification Fund, but the committee would no longer have any formal responsibilities in these areas.

The official record for SB3229 notes the action as 'Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed'.

Hirschauer earned her BA from Colby College.

A member of the Democratic Party, Hirschauer was elected in 2021 to the Illinois House of Representatives to serve the 49th District, succeeding former representative Karina Villa.

Illinois bills must go through a multi-step legislative process, starting with introduction in either chamber, committee consideration, debate, and votes in both the House and Senate before being sent to the governor for a signatory decision or veto. The General Assembly meets on a biennial basis, and although thousands of bills are put forward each session, only a minority make it through all steps to become state law.