SB3326 Summary

• Amends the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act to add references to horizontal drilling with fracturing operations alongside high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing.

• Requires county boards or governing bodies to approve or deny requests for local siting consent of well sites and fracturing operations, with mandatory consultation with multiple state agencies including the Department of Public Health, Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency before making approval decisions.

• Expands the public comment period from 30 calendar days to 60 calendar days following Department receipt of a completed permit application, with an additional 20-day comment period if a public hearing is held.

• Requires the Department to hold a public hearing upon request during the public comment period if the requestor adequately demonstrates potential adverse impact, establishing contested case procedures under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

• Increases the notice period for public hearings from 10 calendar days to 21 calendar days before the hearing date, and mandates county boards to maintain public notification systems regarding well site approvals, incidents, violations, and ongoing operations.