Posts Tagged ‘delaware general assembly’
DE Senate Committee to Discuss Offshore Wind Wednesday at 1pm – Public Comment Will be Taken
On Wednesday, the Delaware Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee is scheduled to discuss Senate Bill 265. This measure will authorize processes necessary to help meet the net zero goals of the Climate Change Solutions Act of 2023. This will prepare for offshore wind to be a significant element of Delaware’s energy future – if…
Read MoreDelaware Republican & Democratic Caucuses React to the Court finding DE Early Voting & Permanent Absentee Voting Statutes Unconstitutional
Reaction to Friday’s opinion that strikes down the Delaware statutes on early voting and permanent absentee voting has come from both sides of the State House and Senate floors. The Republican Caucus takes no issue with early voting, but the statute that was passed in the General Assembly violates the State Constitution. They plan to…
Read MoreDelaware General Assembly Cancels Tuesday’s Legislative Session Due to Inclement Weather
Due to the snowfall in Delaware, Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola and House Speaker Valerie Longhurst have announced that today’s session proceedings in both chambers are canceled. The cancellation includes a House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee meeting that was previously scheduled for noon today. The House is scheduled to reconvene at 2 p.m. tomorrow– Wednesday, January 17th.…
Read MoreInitiatives Seek to Give Delaware Citizens a Voice in One-Sided Rulemaking Process
Three bills will come before the Delaware General Assembly this year that seeks to provide safeguards on what is considered an unrestrained rulemaking authority of the executive branch. State Rep. Rich Collins, the lead sponsor of House Bill 245, says during the recent pandemic, when the executive branch was not responsive to citizens’ concerns, opinions,…
Read MoreState Lawmakers Return to Dover & Annapolis this Week
Delaware lawmakers return to Dover Tuesday for the second leg of the 152nd General Assembly session. The State House will convene at 2pm and 37th District Representative-elect Valerie Jones Giltner will take the oath of office. The State Senate will also convene at 2pm. The Senate does have several bills to consider on its first…
Read MoreHB 270 Creates Civil Penalty for Ammunition for Sale or Display that’s Not Secured in Display Case or Behind Counter
A measure that will go before the Delaware General Assembly in the next session would create a civil penalty for any sale or display of ammunition that is accessible to a purchase or transferee without assistance from a vendor or employee of the vendor. Under House Bill 270, ammunition in an enclosed display case or…
Read MoreLegislation Introduced in Dover Would Mean More for Retired First Responders
Legislation introduced Friday in the Delaware General Assembly would boost contributions to working Delaware first responders. House Bill 266 would expand the definition of compensation considered in the calculations of retiree pensions for the County and Municipal Police and Firefighter Pension Plan. The legislation is proposed by Representative Cyndie Romer (D-Newark), who is the daughter…
Read MoreBethany Beach Joins Coastal Communities in Choosing Ban on Commerical Sale and Production of Marijuana Within Municipal Boundaries
The Bethany Beach Town Council is considering legislation prohibiting the sales and production of marijuana within municipal boundaries. The Town Council had a first reading of this proposed legislation at its most recent Town Council meeting on July 21st. There will be a second reading, and a possible vote, on the proposed legislation on August…
Read MoreUPDATED: DE Proposed FY 2024 Budget Passes in Senate – Waits for Governor’s Signature
Delaware is ready to begin the FY 2024 on Saturday now that the State Senate has passed the proposed $5.6-billion budget and a $194.5-million supplemental spending plan of one-time expenditures and contingency funds. The budget provides full-time state workers with raises, increases mental heath support in elementary and middle schools as well as other education…
Read MoreLegislation Still Being Introduced in Dover – 2 Weeks Left of Session
With just two weeks left in this General Assembly session in Dover, new legislation is still being introduced. HOUSE BILL 233 Last week Representative Michael Ramone introduced House Bill 233 which would raise the minimum income to be subject to income tax from $2000 to $2500. The measure would also collapse the current 6 income…
Read MoreLegislation to Reduce Shootings & Gun-related Crimes Introduced in DE State Senate
Legislation to reduce shootings and other gun-related crimes in Delaware communities has been introduced in the State Senate. Senate Bill 2 is sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth Lockman and House Majority Whip Melissa Minor-Brown and would add Delaware to a list of states that require residents to complete a firearm training course and obtain…
Read MoreUPDATED: DE Marijuana Bills Will Become Law without Gov Carney’s Signature & Reaction
Delaware’s marijuana bills will become law – without Governor John Carney’s signature. At the end of March, the Delaware State Senate approved by House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. House Bill 1 would remove penalties for use or possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana and marijuana accessories. HB 2 created the Delaware…
Read MoreHB 2 – Marijuana Control Act Passes in the House – Awaiting Action in the DE Senate
House Bill 2 is the companion bill to HB 1 – the marijuana bill – which passed in the State House on Tuesday. HB 2 is the Marijuana Control Act, which regulates and taxes marijuana for recreational use – it would create a legal framework to regulate the cultivation, sale and possession of marijuana, and…
Read MoreUPDATED: HB 25 Would Remove Relief Payment from Federal Tax in DE & Signed by Gov Carney
UPDATED – 02/10/23 – If you’re waiting to send in your taxes because you received a 2022 Relief Rebate payment from Delaware, Governor John Carney has signed House Bill 25 which would essentially absolve residents from paying federal taxes on Delaware relief rebate checks. While the rebate was not subject to Delaware income taxes –…
Read MoreProposed Grant Program Would Help Make DE Roads & Communities Safer
A measure pending action in the Delaware House of Representatives proposes a $20-million one-time grant program to curtail the state’s rising traffic deaths, address crime concerns, and fully staff Delaware’s law enforcement agencies. Rep. Mike Smith says his proposal, House Bill 39, is not a solution but rather a way to help police agencies start…
Read MoreThe 152nd Delaware General Assembly is in Session
Delaware lawmakers returned to Dover Tuesday. The first rule of business was swearing in all the newly elected and re-elected members of the General Assembly. The State House has re-elected Pete Schwartzkopf as the Speaker of the House. And the House has set the rules of procedure for ethics violations. The State Senate has also…
Read MoreNew Del. Bills Seek to Improve Early Reading Skills, Promote Media Literacy
It was back to school for Delaware Governor John Carney. On the first day of classes at a school in New Castle County, the Governor enacted three pieces of education-related legislation. One measure is designed to promote media literacy and to ensure that children understand appropriate, responsible and healthy online behavior. Senate Bill 195, the…
Read MoreFormer Del. State Sen., Finance Secretary Richard Cordrey – a Millsboro Native – Has Passed Away
Millsboro native Richard Cordrey, who served a lengthy tenure as State Senate President pro tempore as well as four years as Secretary of Finance, has died. Cordrey was 88 years old. Cordrey was first elected to the House before serving in the Senate from 1972 until 1996. His time as Secretary of Finance occurred during…
Read MoreNew Del. Laws Address Mental Health of Children, Adults
Improvements to mental health and mental health services are coming in Delaware.Governor John Carney has signed three bills passed by the Delaware General Assembly, which address concerns of children as well as adults.One measure (House Bill 300) allows middle schools to hire more counselors, social workers and school psychologists, building on a previous measure to…
Read MoreDel. State Sportsmen’s Association Goes to Court Over Gun Bills
The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association said Wednesday it has filed the first of what will likely be three court challenges to gun-related bills that were signed by Governor John Carney on the final day of the Delaware General Assembly Session June 30th. The target is House Bill 450, which the DSSA said bans a “long…
Read MoreVIDEO | “We Are Not Waiting To Do What’s Right” – Gov. Carney Signs 6 Gun-Related Bills
As he was surrounded by lawmakers, Cabinet members, Delaware community leaders and advocates, Governor Carney delivered a message Thursday as he signed six gun-related bills into law: “We have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like we’ve seen around the county from happening here in Delaware. We are not waiting to…
Read MoreVote-by-Mail Legislation Gets Final Approval in Del. General Assembly
Delawareans will be able to vote by mail, if they choose to do so and request a ballot, under legislation that’s been given final approval by the Delaware General Assembly (Senate Bill 320).Voters would send back the application, either online or by mail, and would receive a ballot that could be mailed, deposited in a…
Read MoreDel. Legislation Addresses Concerns Following US Supreme Court Dobbs Ruling
In the wake of the US Supreme Court Dobbs decision that overturns Roe v. Wade, Delaware lawmakers have passed legislation that would expand access to abortion services and enhance protections for abortion providers and patients who seek an abortion.Under House Bill 455, advanced practice registered nurses would be able to perform abortions, in alignment with…
Read MoreBill to Increase Minimum Age to Buy a Gun Passes Del. State Senate, House
Legislation that would increase the age to legally purchase any firearm from 18 to 21 has passed the Delaware State Senate by a vote of 14-7. The measure (House Bill 451) also passed in the House. Delaware’s current law mirrors federal requirements that a handgun buyer be at least 21 years old, while someone who…
Read MoreUpdate: More Gun Bills Advance In Del. General Assembly
The Delaware State Senate has given final legislative approval to three gun-related bills, following a push by Democratic leaders and Governor John Carney just a few weeks ago. Two other gun bills have also been approved and sent to the House for consideration. “Today was a victory for the vast majority of Delawareans who demanded…
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