Posts Tagged ‘delaware general assembly’
HB 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…
Read MoreDel. House Passes Large-Capacity Magazine Ban Legislation
The Delaware House of Representatives has passed a bill that would ban the sale of large-capacity magazines capable of holding more than 17 rounds. The vote in the House Thursday on SB 6(s) was 23 in favor, 18 against. The measure goes to the State Senate for consideration. Under the bill, penalties would be enhanced…
Read MoreNew Del. Law Would Enhanced Penalties For Assault Against Healthcare Workers
Violence against more healthcare workers in Delaware would be a felony offense under legislation given final approval in the State Senate.Delaware Code already classifies assault against people in various professions as a second-degree crime, including physicians, nurses and EMT’s. However, it did not include numerous other employees in a health system who have close contact…
Read MoreDel. Constitutional Amendment To End June 30th All-Nighter Moves Forward
Delaware’s annual tradition of meeting at all hours of the night on the final day of the General Assembly session is a step closer to becoming a part of First State history.The Delaware State Senate has passed legislation to amend the state Constitution to end the requirement that the General Assembly stay in session until…
Read MoreDel. Abortion Rights Protections Strengthened Under House-Passed Bill, Say Sponsors
The House of Representatives has approved a bill that its sponsor said would improve availability of safe and accessible reproductive healthcare services, while protecting patients and providers from facing legal action under abortion laws in other states. House Bill 455 passed with 24 yes votes, 13 no Tuesday. Four representatives were absent. “As a nurse,…
Read MoreDel. General Assembly Passes Age Restriction For Buying Most Firearms, Adjusting Background Check Program
A bill to increase the legal age for buying most firearms in Delaware from 18 to 21 has passed in the House of Representatives.Currently, state law mirrors federal law which does allow someone who is 18 to purchase long guns, including rifles and shotguns. Someone must be 21 to purchase a handgun. “We already prohibit…
Read MoreDE Climate Change Measure Passed in State Senate
Legislation regarding climate change (SB 305) has been passed in the Delaware State Senate by a 13 to 6 vote. This measure will adopt a comprehensive approach to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in Delaware by not less than 50% by 2030. According to the legislation, the Governor and DNREC will update the Climate Action…
Read MoreDel. Legislation Seeks To ban Single-Use Plastic Coffee Stirrers, Polystyrene Containers At Restaurants
Delaware restaurants would be prohibited from serving ready-to-eat food in polystyrene containers, under legislation that has been approved in the State Senate. Polystyrene is best known as Styrofoam. The bill, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 134, would also require restaurants to only provide single-use plastic straws if requested by a customer, and single-use plastic…
Read MoreDel. House Passes Bill That Restricts “Assault-Style” Weapons
The Delaware House of Representatives voted 22-19 Thursday in favor of legislation that would, according to its sponsors, effectively prohibit the buying, selling, and possession of assault-style weapons. Such weapons would be legally defined and would include the AK-47, AR-15, UZI and similar firearms. The legislation, House Bill 450, would “grandfather” existing weapons and protect…
Read MoreDoes Del. Bill Intend To Usurp Parental Oversight?
Delaware House Republicans are stepping up their opposition to a measure they say would usurp parental oversight over sensitive matters regarding their children, such as abortion or gender identity.House Bill 400, sponsored by Democratic Representative Krista Griffith, D-Wilmington area would allow dependents to receive health care services without the knowledge of the policy-holder. Griffith has…
Read MoreSame-Day Voter Registration Bill Approved By Del. House
Legislation that would allow same day registration in Delaware has cleared the State House of Representatives.House Bill 25(s) would do away with the current deadline to register to vote, which is almost a month before elections (the fourth Saturday before Election Day).The voter would be required to show a valid and current government-issued photo or…
Read MoreGov. Carney’s Veto Of Recreational Marijuana Bill Stands
A move to override Governor John Carney’s veto of legislation that would have removed any penalties for adults in Delaware who possess one ounce or less of marijuana falls short in the House of Representatives.The vote was 20 in favor an override, 20 against, and one ‘not voting.’ A three-fifths majority, or 25, would have…
Read MoreDel. Legislation Touted As Strengthening Abortion Rights Protections
New legislation in the Delaware General Assembly would make ‘safe and accessible reproductive healthcare services’ more widely available, according to its sponsors.The measure includes protections for providers and out-of-state residents who seek or receive reproductive health care services such as an abortion in The First State. Matters such as medical privacy, limitations on extradition to…
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