Sen. Seth Lewis backs SB3645 to prolong state oversight of radiation safety

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-24th) supported SB3645, voting Yes during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026. The measure, which extends Illinois' authority for radiation protection, passed in the Senate by a 51-3 margin, according to the Illinois Senate.

The bill’s summary notes: "REGULATORY SUNSET-RADIATION."

Below is a review of the actual bill text, with clarifying interpretation as needed.

This legislation updates the Illinois Regulatory Sunset Act by moving the Radiation Protection Act of 1990 from the list of laws set for repeal on Jan. 1, 2027, to a new section with a repeal date of Jan. 1, 2037. The sunset timetable for other listed professional licensing, insurance and regulatory statutes remains unchanged at 2027. The effect is to grant state radiation protection regulatory powers for an additional decade. The act takes effect immediately after becoming law.

The official legislative record for SB3645 reads: 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs'.

Lewis earned a BS from the University of Iowa in 1991.

Lewis, a Republican, began serving in the Illinois State Senate in 2023 as the representative for the 24th District, succeeding Suzy Glowiak.

Legislation in Illinois advances through a multi-stage process, beginning with introduction in either chamber, committee evaluation, floor debate, and votes in each house before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a two-year cycle, and although thousands of bills may be introduced each session, relatively few make it into law.