Daily Report for 1/25/2018

Governor's Actions

No legislation is Signed by Governor Today

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HCR 61CommitteePostlesProviding sufficient surplus state revenue exists, this House Concurrent Resolution requests the Joint Finance Committee to restore to the FY 2019 Grants-in-Aid Bill funding that was removed from the appropriation at the start of the current fiscal year.REQUESTING THAT THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE PRIORITIZE THE RESTORATION OF GRANTS-IN-AID FUNDING IN THE FY 2019 APPROPRIATION TO THE LEVELS THAT EXISTED IN THE FY 2017 APPROPRIATION.
SCR 43PassedBoniniDesignating February 6, 2018 as "Ronald Reagan Day" in DelawareDESIGNATING FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AS "RONALD REAGAN DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE
SB 145CommitteeMcBrideThis Bill is the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Act.AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE EXPENSE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND AMENDING CERTAIN PERTINENT STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
HB 325CommitteeSchwartzkopfThis Bill is the Fiscal Year 2019 Bond and Capital Improvements Act.A BOND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND CERTAIN OF ITS AUTHORITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING SPECIAL FUNDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING GENERAL FUNDS AND SPECIAL FUNDS OF THE STATE; REPROGRAMMING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE STATE; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND IMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
SCR 44CommitteeDelcolloThis Concurrent Resolution does all of the following: (1) Expresses the General Assembly’s opposition to the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality rules (“the repeal”). (2) Urges the United States Congress to either review the repeal as permitted under the Congressional Review Act, within 60 days of receipt of the Federal Communications Commission’s order as required by the Act, or enact legislation reinstating and requiring the preservation of net neutrality. (3) Requests that the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of this Resolution to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, U.S. Senate Minority Leader, and the Members of Delaware's Congressional Delegation.OPPOSING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION’S REPEAL OF NET NEUTRALITY RULES INTENDED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENSURE FAIR AND REASONABLE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.
HA 1 to HB 106PWBKowalkoThis amendment makes a technical change to the effective date of the new tax brackets. 

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 126 w/ HA 1SignedLynnThe Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 mandated that states allow families that receive child care assistance to continue receiving that assistance for at least 90 days after losing their job provided they are seeking employment during that time. The federal law did not expressly stipulate that states must allow families to qualify for and begin receiving assistance so that they could search for a job, however 14 states have enacted policies to expand eligibility to those families. This legislation codifies the federal intent that families be eligible to continue receiving assistance for 90 non-consecutive days in a year, and extends that eligibility to families who want to start receiving assistance in order to seek employment for up to 90 days.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.
HCR 48PassedYearickThis Resolution proclaims the week of July 10-14, 2017 as Delaware Local Produce Week. This is the third consecutive year this observation is being staged in an attempt to facilitate a better, healthier relationship between Delaware famers and local consumers.PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF JULY 10-14, 2017 AS DELAWARE LOCAL PRODUCE WEEK.
HCR 47PassedKentonThis resolution recognizes the week of September 17 – 24, 2017 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Week.RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17-24, 2017 AS "PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HCR 41PassedSmykThis resolution recognizes the month of June 2017 as General Aviation Appreciation Month.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017 AS "GENERAL AVIATION APPRECIATION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HB 237 w/ HA 1SignedCollinsThis bill creates a new vehicle license plate promoting and supporting Keep Delaware Beautiful. This new non-profit organization, affiliated with Keep America Beautiful, has a mission of undertaking initiatives that will beautify Delaware and reduce litter.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.
SB 128 w/ SA 1SignedBoniniThis bill creates a special license plate for members of the Dover Air Force Base Chiefs Group.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE OR REGISTRATION PLATES.
SA 1 to SB 128PassedBoniniThis amendment removes the requirement that DMV promote the sale of the plate. The plate can only be sold to applicants approved by the Dover Chiefs Group. 
HB 274SignedDukesThis bill allows the Laurel Special School District to convey to the Town of Laurel the Paul Laurence Dunbar School and the lands on which the school is located. AN ACT TO PERMIT THE LAUREL SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO CONVEY TO THE TOWN OF LAUREL THE LANDS AND STRUCTURE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SIXTH STREET AND WEBB AVENUE IN THE TOWN OF LAUREL, LITTLE CREEK HUNDRED, SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE, BEING MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR SCHOOL.
HB 286 w/ HA 1SignedK. WilliamsEnactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act amended the Individuals with Disability Education Act (“IDEA”) by mandating that special education teachers must have obtained full certification and may not be working under emergency certifications. The Delaware Department of Education must stop issuing emergency certifications in special education in order for for the State to continue receiving $36 million in federal IDEA funding for our schools. This Act creates a mechanism that is in compliance with federal requirements to enable educators to obtain a certificate of eligibility in the areas of special education. Educators will be able to meet federal requirements while being enrolled in an approved, alternative routes to certification program. This Act will allow local education agencies to staff special education classrooms while ensuring the educators are receiving high quality training working toward their standard certificate in the appropriate area of special education. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATOR LICENSURE.
HB 291SignedKeeleyThis Act clarifies that the representative appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services to the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council shall serve as the Council’s temporary chair for the purposes of organizing the initial meeting of the members. A permanent Chair and Vice Chair are to be elected at the first organizational meeting and shall be elected annually thereafter from among the members of the Council.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
HB 295SignedQ. JohnsonThis Act amends the Fiscal Year 2018 Bond and Capital Improvements Act to (1) authorize the Department of Transportation to use Community Transportation Funds for one-time reimbursements for various projects; (2) allow reprogramming of funds to support the Delaware Strategic Fund; (3) allow Delaware Technical Community College to realign their critical capital needs with available funding; (4) authorize the Department of Transportation to subordinate the State’s fee interest in the Project Site; (5) direct the Department of Transportation not to vacate Sheep Pen Road and keep the roadway in the state highways system; and (6) allow Department of Transportation to transfer funds to the Riverfront Development Corporation. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO THE BOND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND CERTAIN OF ITS AUTHORITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018.
SS 1 for SB 143SignedTownsendThis Bill amends the membership of the Behavioral Health Consortium to include two members of both the House and Senate, a member from the Ability Network of Delaware, and the Mental Health Association in Delaware. The Bill also extends the date the first report is due from March 1, 2018 to April 16, 2018. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM.
HCR 59PassedLonghurstThis resolution recognizes the Easterseals/CAI Volleyball Challenge occurring March 2-4, 2018, at William Penn High School, an event that raises funds for an organization providing services and support to Delawareans with disabilities or special needs and their families.RECOGNIZING THE EASTERSEALS/CAI VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE AND THE VOLLEYBALL AMBASSADOR, EMILY HURST, IN THE 13TH YEAR OF DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN TEAM PARTICIPATION.

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 53 w/ HA 1, HA 2 + SA 1, SA 2SignedMiroThis bill allows ground-based and hand-held sparklers and certain other nonexplosive, nonairborne novelty items regulated by the federal government to be sold and used in the State. The bill does not legalize firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerials, or any other device that explodes or shoots into the air. The use of those items that may be sold only to persons 18 years of age and older is limited to July 4th and December 31st of each year and sales are limited to the 30 days prior to the allowable use day. This bill allows paper caps used in toy guns contain 16 milligrams or less of pyrotechnic mixture. The sale of sparklers and most other items permitted under this bill is limited to persons 18 and older. The penalty section of 16 Del. C. §6905 applies to this bill. At least forty-three states allow the sale and use of sparklers and other nonexplosive, nonairborne novelty items that are regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SELLING OR POSSESSING FIREWORKS; EXCEPTIONS.
HB 225 w/ HA 1 + SA 1SignedBentzHouse Bill No. 208 of the 149th General Assembly changes the name of the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection to the Division of Health Care Quality. This Act updates the name of the Division where it appears in the Delaware Code and takes effect upon the enactment of House Bill No. 208. House Bill No. 195 revises Chapter 11 of Title 16, removing references to a specific Division in 2 sections. This Act clarifies that the name change in those sections sunset upon the enactment of House Bill No. 195.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16, TITLE 24, TITLE 25, AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DIVISION OF LONG TERM CARE RESIDENTS PROTECTION.
HB 231 w/ SA 1SignedSpiegelmanThis bill creates an Abandoned Cultural Property Act. The act allows museums to establish title to property that has been donated or left with the museum after any loan period has terminated and the lender cannot be found. Currently such assets drain the museum resources by taking up space and having to be cared for. Museums need a process by which they can establish clear title to abandoned, unclaimed, or unsolicited property. This law will allow more efficient use of museum funds and will assist museums to conserve, display, and ethically dispose of abandoned, unclaimed, or unsolicited property. This bill is modeled after Indiana's law. Delaware is 1 of only 4 states that has no law relating to Abandoned Cultural Property.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ABANDONED, UNCLAIMED, OR UNSOLICITED CULTURAL PROPERTY.
SCR 31 w/ HA 1, HA 2PassedDelcolloThis concurrent resolution establishes the Veterans Higher Education Task Force to study and make findings and recommendations regarding veterans’ access to higher education in Delaware.ESTABLISHING THE VETERANS HIGHER EDUCATION TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VETERANS’ ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN DELAWARE.
HB 247 w/ SA 2SignedBentzThis bill sets forth revisions to the composition of the Council on Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COUNCIL ON SERVICES FOR AGING AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
HA 1 to SCR 31PassedJaquesThis Amendment does the following: Changes the membership by naming the Adjutant General of Delaware instead of naming Colonel Angela F. Showell. Adds the Executive Director of the Delaware Veterans Commission to the Task Force. Changes the start date for the Task Force from August 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018. Changes the report due date from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Requires that the Adjutant General set the date, time, and place for the initial organizational meeting. Changes the chair of the Task Force to the member chosen to be the chair by the Task Force members at the first meeting. 
HA 2 to SCR 31PassedSmykThis amendment adds a representative from the Student Veterans of America Delaware Chapter to the Task Force and encourages each University/College to involve their respective student veteran populations as part of their task force representation. 
HA 1 to HB 53PassedMiroThis amendment changes the total packaging weight of multiple items from 200 grams to 500 grams to match the standard set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Currently 48 states allow the sale and use of sparklers and other non-explosive, non-airborne novelty items that are regulated by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 
HA 2 to HB 53PassedMiroThis amendment makes the bill a simple majority bill. There is no constitutional requirement for a 2/3 vote. 
HR 21PassedSchwartzkopfThis resolution creates the Permanent Rules of the House of Representatives replacing the Temporary Rules of the House of Representatives. RELATING TO THE PERMANENT RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 149TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HB 308SignedHeffernanThis Act removes the sunset provision contained in Volume 80, Chapter 412 of the Laws of Delaware (formerly House Bill No. 405, as amended, of the 148th General Assembly) that is set to expire the law on September 8, 2018. The purpose of Volume 80, Chapter 412 of the Laws of Delaware is to prevent first-time juvenile offenders charged with certain minor misdemeanors from entering into the juvenile criminal justice system by providing law enforcement with a civil citation procedure as an alternative to arrest.AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 412, VOLUME 80 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO THE JUVENILE OFFENDER CIVIL CITATION PROGRAM.
SCR 41PassedPettyjohnThis Resolution designates March 2, 2018 as "Red Shirt Friday, American Legion Auxiliary Salute to our Military" in the state of Delaware.DESIGNATING MARCH 2, 2018, "RED SHIRT FRIDAY, AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY SALUTE TO OUR MILITARY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE
SCR 42PassedPooreThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes February 2018 as "Self-Care Month."RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 2018 AS "SELF-CARE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Senate Committee Assignments

Committee
Finance

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Administration
Capital Infrastructure
Judiciary
Public Safety & Homeland Security
Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)

Senate Committee Report

No Senate Committee Report

House Committee Report

No House Committee Report

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

No House Defeated Legislation

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

No Records