Posts Tagged ‘Delaware State Senate’
DE State Senate Passes Bills to Protect Pets from Domestic Abuse
Two pieces of a three-part package of legislation has passed in the State Senate – both with a unanimous vote. These measures include animal welfare into Delaware’s existing protections against domestic violence. Senate Bill 70 adds several actions against a companion or service animal to the definition of abuse for Protection From Abuse (PFA) proceedings.…
Read MoreTwo Family Court Judges Confirmed by DE State Senate
The Delaware State Senate met in special session this afternoon to consider judicial nominations made by Governor John Carney. The Senate voted to confirm the reappointment of Judge Peter B. Jones to serve on the Family Court in Sussex County and Commissioner Emily A. Farley to serve as a Commissioner for the Family Court in…
Read MoreSame-Day Voter Registration Bill Goes To Del. Governor
Legislation to allow Delawareans to register at the polls to vote on election days is on its way to Governor John Carney.The Delaware State Senate voted 14-7 Wednesday in favor of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 25 that does away with the previous deadline to register to vote – the fourth Saturday before the…
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. Senate Advances Tax Relief Bills For Retired Military, Active Fire-EMS
Thousands of retired military service members and Delaware first responders could get relief on their taxes. One measure passed by the State Senate Tuesday would exclude up to $12,500 worth of military pension income from state tax calculations for all retired service members, regardless of age, starting in 2023. “Our nation’s retired service members, each…
Read MoreDel. State Senate Passes Family & Medical Leave Package
In a 14-7 party line vote, the State Senate has approved legislation to require that paid family and medical leave be offered by the private sector in DelawareWhat’s called the Healthy Delaware Families Act would grant eligible full-time employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave a year and up to six weeks of…
Read MoreTrial Date For Del. State Auditor McGuiness Set In May ’22
Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will have her day in court in May 2022. McGuiness was indicted last month on corruption-related charges, and has pled not guilty. The trial date was set following a private conference this week, presuming there is not a plea deal. McGuiness also will retain the services of attorney Steve Wood…
Read MoreDel. Senate Goes Back To Session Tue. – Here’s Why
The Delaware State Senate is set to reconvene next Tuesday to consider a House Concurrent Resolution (HCR42). The House voted along party lines Monday to pass the measure, which seeks State Supreme Court guidance in cases where elected officials face indictments. The Senate had passed a similar resolution (SCR63), but by the time the House…
Read MoreLawmakers Consider Possible Action In Case Of Indicted State Auditor
Delaware lawmakers Monday discussed the possibility of taking action in the case of indicted State Auditor Kathy McGuiness. During the special session on redistricting, the Senate passed a resolution (SCR 63) to seek an advisory opinion from the Delaware Supreme Court on what circumstances, including indictment, warrant legislative action to remove a public official. It…
Read MoreDel. Redistricting Heads Down The Home Stretch
The complicated task of redrawing legislative districts every ten years following the U.S. Census is nearing its close in Delaware. The State Senate and the State House are meeting today (Monday) in a special session devoted to redistricting. The Senate is scheduled to go into session at noon, and the House would follow at 2:00…
Read MoreDel. House Releases Legislative District Maps, With A Few Changes
Final maps of 41 Delaware House of Representative districts have been released, days before the General Assembly meets in a special redistricting session to vote on House and Senate district maps in one combined bill. The maps can be viewed at : https://legis.delaware.gov/Redistricting/2022FinalHouseDistricts. The special session will take place Monday at Legislative Hall in Dover. If…
Read MoreDel. House District Maps Released
New proposed maps for Delaware’s 41 State House districts have been released. The maps are redrawn every ten years following the Census. House leaders said Wednesday that numerous requirements were followed to get to this point: each district should be relatively similar in population and be contiguous while observing natural or political boundaries. The House…
Read MoreUpdate: Del. State Senate Confirms 9 Nominations From Gov. Carney
Update: The State Senate confirmed nine of Governor John Carney’s nominees to judgeships, boards and commissions Wednesday afternoon. Carney said he appreciates the Senate’s careful consideration, and is confident each nominee has the good judgement and experience necessary to serve. Theresa Hayes will serve as a Judge on Family Court in Sussex County. Kristine Kellenbenz…
Read MoreGov. Carney Submits Nomination For New Secretary Of Education
Governor John Carney has nominated a former superintendent of the Brandywine School District to become Delaware’s next Secretary of Education. If confirmed by the State Senate, Dr. Mark Holodick would replace Dr. Susan Bunting. Bunting was superintendent of the Indian River School District before joining the Carney administration in 2017. She plans to step down…
Read MoreDel. House Passes Minimum Wage Increase
After a series of failed amendments, the Delaware House of Representatives Thursday gave final legislative approval to an increase in Delaware’s minimum wage, to be phased in over several years until it reaches $15 an hour in 2025. The vote on Senate Bill 15 was 26-15. The minimum wage would rise to $10.50 per hour…
Read MoreDel. Bill Supports Collective Bargaining For Delmar Police
Delmar Police deserve an opportunity to collectively bargain for better pay and safer working conditions, according to the sponsor of legislation that would clear the way for them to unionize. A bill introduced in the State Senate (SB 181) would clarify that the Town of Delmar is a public employer under the Delaware Police Officers…
Read MoreState Senate Approves Use-Of-Force Revisions
Delaware’s first ‘objective use of force’ standard for police officers is a step closer to becoming law. The State Senate Thursday voted 14-7 to approve a bill (SB 147) that would stipulate that the use of deadly and non-lethal force would be legally justifiable only if its use is determined to be reasonable. The word…
Read MoreOpponents Of Gun Bills Criticize Process
Two gun-related bills have passed in the Delaware State Senate, but opponents and critics Thursday continued to question their constitutionality. They have also spoken out about the process that led to their passage. One bill would a permit and training to purchase a handgun. The other would outlaw sale of large-capacity magazines capable of holding…
Read MoreDel. Bill Addresses Hair Discrimination
Hair discrimination is addressed in a bill being considered by a Delaware State Senate Committee Wednesday. The CROWN Act – Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair – would make it clear that Delaware does not accept a person’s appearance as being used as a weapon of harassment and discrimination, according to its…
Read MoreERA Amendment To Del. Constitution Passes State Senate
An Equal Rights Amendment to the Delaware Constitution would add “race, color and national origin” to the basic rights of Delawareans guaranteed under the Constitution. The State Senate voted unanimously Thursday to support the Amendment, sending it to the House for consideration. Delaware and many other states still do not have specific provisions in their…
Read MoreDE Senate Releases Tentative Schedule of Virtual Proceedings for January
The Delaware State Senate on Friday announced a tentative schedule of virtual proceedings in January. Session of the full Senate will be live streamed on the General Assembly’s website and can be accessed under the section marked “Live Proceedings.” Those wishing to watch session proceedings after they have concluded can find recordings by following links under the “Meetings…
Read MoreDel. General Assembly Will Start 2021 With Virtual Sessions
The 151st Delaware General Assembly will convene Tuesday January 12th with a virtual session when lawmakers will take their oaths of office, formally elect their leaders and adopt rules and procedures for conducting legislative business. That day’s activities will be shown live on the General Assembly YouTube Channel. Provisions are also being made to conduct…
Read MoreDel. Senate Committee Assignments Released
Delaware State Senators have received their committee assignments for the 151st General Assembly that starts in January. The line-up includes a newly-formed Housing Committee. Also, the previously separate Environment And Energy Committees will merge into a single committee. “All policies governing generation and distribution of energy in Delaware should ever carefully weigh the potential impact…
Read MoreVote-By-Mail Legislation Goes To Gov. Carney
Delawareans will be able to head to the mailbox instead of the ballot box to vote in future elections, under a bill approved by the State Senate. The vote was 18-3. It now goes to Governor John Carney. The Department of Election will mail applications to vote by mail to each qualified voter. The application…
Read MoreConstitutional Amendment Proposal Passes Del. State Senate
A proposed amendment to the Delaware state Constitution that would prohibit discrimination based on race, color or national origin advances in the Delaware General Assembly. The State Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill Tuesday. It’s part of a package of justice-based measures announced last week by the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus. The proposed amendment moves to…
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