Posts Tagged ‘general assembly’
DE Redistricting Public Hearings Next Week
The General Assembly will host public hearings later this month to allow residents to comment on its proposed legislative redistricting maps. The House will host a hybrid hearing on Monday, October 18. The Senate will host a virtual hearing on Tuesday, October 19, and an in-person hearing at Legislative Hall on Thursday, October 21. All…
Read MoreGov Carney Signs 2 Joint Resolutions into Law
Governor John Carney has signed House Joint Resolution 4 which directs the Criminal Justice Council to establish and publish integrity reports concerning complaints made against police officers in each police agency in the state – as well as create and publish a list of de-certified police officers in the state. The resolution is sponsored by…
Read MoreDel. Expands Mental Health Services In Elementary Schools
Delaware elementary schools will be able to significantly expand mental health services. Legislation signed by Governor John Carney Thursday (House Bill 100) establishes a mental health services unit for elementary schools, allowing them to hire more full-time counselors or social workers. $8-million was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Delaware budget to support additional mental…
Read MoreSen. Stephanie Hansen seeks to Advance Community Solar in Delaware
Thousands of Delawareans currently unable to benefit from the cost savings and low carbon footprint of solar power could soon reap the benefits of renewable energy through a new class of community-solar generating facilities enabled by legislation introduced by Sen. Stephanie Hansen on Thursday. Senate Bill 2 would provide the legal framework for Delmarva Power customers to take…
Read MoreDelaware Legislation Looks To Address Systemic Injustice
Members of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus Wednesday unveiled a package of legislation that addresses police procedures and systemic injustices the sponsors say have impacted people of color. Lawmakers were joined by Governor John Carney, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and others as they discussed the initiative on the steps of Legislative…
Read MoreDelaware Budget-Writers Could Look to Reserves
With Delaware state revenues flagging due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) economic disruption, there is a possibility budget-writers could look to two reserve accounts to bridge a shortfall. The first of these reserves, often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, is one of the most misunderstood mechanisms in state government. Adopted in 1980, Article 8,…
Read MoreDelaware revenue estimates take another hit
The revenue expected to be available to state budget writers took a major hit Monday, dropping by more than $655 million in Delaware. The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) issued their latest forecast Monday afternoon. The group predicted the state would have $4.2149 billion available to be budgeted for Fiscal Year 2021, that…
Read MoreDelaware bill would prevent stores from refusing to accept cash
Delaware lawmakers have introduced legislation to prohibit businesses from rejecting cash payments. Cash-free stores have begun popping up around the world with the promise of customer convenience and quick transactions, but their cash-free model leaves many people out, according to State Senator David McBride, the primary sponsor of the bill. “Technology can bring about exciting…
Read MoreRep Mike Smith Pushing for Streaming Video & Audio of DE General Assembly
One New Castle County lawmaker wants more transparency in the General Assembly and is introducing legislation that will call for audio and live video streaming of ALL General Assembly proceedings – House and Senate floor action and committee meetings. And that all content be archived and accessible on the internet. Representative Mike Smith says most…
Read MoreLegal Smoking Age in Delaware is now 21
Beginning today, you must be 21 to purchase tobacco products in the State of Delaware. Senate Bill 25 went into effect at midnight. This legislation was strongly supported by Governor Carney and the final measure approved by the General Assembly also repeals the ability of a parent or guardian to purchase tobacco products or tobacco…
Read MoreUPDATED: Gov Carney Signs FY 2020 Budget
UPDATED – 6pm – Approved by the Delaware State Senate hours earlier, Governor John Carney has signed the $4.4-billion FY 2020 operating budget (HB 225). As of 6:20pm HB 226 – the supplemental spending bill that appropriates an additional $62 million for one-time expenditures, was still waiting to be signed. Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Highlights:…
Read MoreUPDATED: General Assembly Approves Boost in Fines in Handicap Parking Areas
State lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 28 – which will increase the penalties for parking in an area designated for a vehicle being used by an individual with a disability. For a first offense the monetary penalty will increase from $100 to $200. For a subsequent offense, this the monetary penalty would increase from $200…
Read MoreDE General Assembly Passes Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban
Delaware lawmakers have approved House Bill 130 which deals with single use plastic bags. Governor John Carney applauds the legislation and says he will sign the bill. The measure expands existing at-store recycling programs, but stores that are subject to this program now will be limited from providing single use bags and encourage a shift…
Read MoreDemocratic Lawmaker Introduces 15 Dollar Minimum Wage in DE
Delaware State Senator Darius Brown, a Democrat from Wilmington has introduced legislation that would increase the First State’s minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. In introducing the legislation, Senator Brown said “Our job in the General Assembly is to enact laws that improve the lives of our constituents.” He noted that the average two-bedroom…
Read MoreGovernor Hogan Vetoes Numerous Bills, Including Handgun Board Repeal
—————————————————————— On Friday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced he would allow the remainder of bills from the 2019 General Assembly session to become law without his signature, vetoing numerous measures, including several with direct impact for the Eastern Shore. Notably, the Governor is vetoing a repeal of the Handgun Permit Review Board, saying he doesn’t…
Read MoreDelaware Lawmakers Look to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Lawmakers in the Delaware General Assembly have introduced legislation that would legalize the use of recreational marijuana in the first state for individuals 21 years or older. House Bill 110 would regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol, allowing adults to legally possess and consume under 1 ounce of marijuana for personal…
Read MoreEarly Voting Legislation Passes Delaware General Assembly
Legislation that would allow early voting in Delaware is on it’s way to Governor John Carney for his signature. HB 38 was passed in the State Senate with a 16 to 5 vote Thursday. The measure would allow Delawareans to vote up to 10 days ahead of Election Day, in person at one of 4…
Read MoreAmended Legislation to Fund Delaware Tech Out of Senate Committee
A Delaware State Senate committee has approved Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 50 which deals with the funding for major and minor capital improvements, deferred maintenance and more and will establish the Community College Infrastructure Fund for Delaware Tech. The College’s Board of Trustees will have the authority to issue bonds to finance the…
Read MoreUPDATED: DE National Popular Vote Bill (SB 22) Passes in DE Senate & House
UPDATED 3/14/19 5:25pm – Senate Bill 22 – which would enact the National Popular Vote compact – has passed in the State House with a 24 to 17 vote. The National Popular Vote compact requires that each member state award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who received the largest number of popular votes…
Read MoreState Lawmakers Recognize American Legion Week in Delaware
The Delaware General Assembly has approved a House Concurrent Resolution that recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion and celebrates March 4 through March 10, 2019 as American Legion Week in Delaware. The resolution was passed unanimously in the State Senate and with a voice vote in the State House.
Read MoreLegislation Introduced for Early Voting & Other Election Issues in Delaware
Legislation has been introduced in Dover that would establish early voting in Delaware. House Bill 38 would allow registered voters to vote in-person during at least 10 days before an election at locations – at least one in each county – determined by the State Election Commissioner. This would start in 2022. Legislation has also…
Read MoreUPDATED: Bond Bill, Grants-in-Aid Passed in State House & Senate
UPDATED – 8:30am – On the last day of the 149th General Assembly, state lawmakers were busy. While the FY 2019 budget was already passed, the Grant-in-Aid and Bond Bills still had to be worked in both chambers. After a contentious first vote on the Bond Bill the House did approve the measure just before…
Read MoreGovernor Carney Signs HB 3 – Paid Parental Leave
Legislation that offers state workers – including school district employees – 12 weeks of paid parental leave – has been signed into law by Governor John Carney. This makes Delaware the 6th state in the nation to offer paid parental leave to public workers. The legislation pertains to the birth of a child or the…
Read MoreFinal Day of 149th General Assembly Session in Dover
Today is the final day of the 149th General Assembly session. The State House reconvenes at 2pm with a full agenda of items to tackle – including senior property tax, offshore drilling and direct purchase and shipment of wine – and the Bond Bill, which is still in the House Capital Infrastructure Committee. There is…
Read MoreLegalization of Recreational Marijuana Falls Short in DE House Vote
A vote to legalize recreational marijuana in Delaware came up short 4 votes in the State House. Needing a three-fifths majority – 25 votes, House Bill 110 received 21 votes of 41. The measure needed a super-majority because it would have created new fees and a new tax. Proponents claimed the majority of the public…
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