Daily Report for 7/1/2018

Governor's Actions

No legislation is Signed by Governor Today

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SCR 80Passed SenateTownsendThis Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police examine the issue of slower traffic in the left hand lane and jointly report to the General Assembly by November 1, 2018, their recommendations, if any, for action to address this issue.REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE DELAWARE STATE POLICE EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF SLOWER TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 20 w/ HA 1VetoedLynnThis Act authorizes the Family Court to interview children who are involved in Protection From Abuse proceedings.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD INTERVIEWS.
HB 163 w/ HA 1, HA 2SignedBaumbachCurrently there are 17 "check-boxes" on the Delaware personal income tax return where taxpayers may designate a portion of their refund or send additional money with their payment due to be credited as a charitable donation to various organizations. The number of organizations has continued to grow over the years without any charities being removed. As a result, a relatively stable total amount of donations is being spread across a larger number of causes, reducing the utility for any single charity and increasing the administrative burden on the Division of Revenue. This bill eliminates the two lowest grossing charitable funds - for the US Olympic Committee and for the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund, and replaces them with Funds for the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children and the United Way of Delaware. It also adds a provision to the code capping the number of permissible charity check-offs on the return at 21.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE INCOME TAX RETURN.
HS 1 for HB 179 w/ HA 1SignedLynnThis Act permits State employees who are employed by the Delaware State Police or Delaware Capitol Police and work in a variety of job titles, all of which are more commonly referred to as "9-1-1 operators," to retire at 25 years without any reduction. Those employees will pay a higher employee contribution rate than other State employees.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN.
HB 294 w/ HA 2SignedBriggs KingSection 1 of this Act transfers from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to the Department of Health and Social Services the responsibility for establishing, administering, adopting rules and regulations, and setting fees for courses of instruction and programs of rehabilitation for those whose licenses have been revoked for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or any drug, or both. The Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health is better positioned to establish and operate programs aimed at treating substance abuse issues. Section 1 of this Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual and to update language in this Act that is no longer consistent with language in § 4177 of Title 21. Section 2 of this Act delays the Act’s effective date for 6 months.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
HB 324 w/ HA 1SignedKowalkoThis Act requires that the Office of Child Care Licensing include application forms, the specific requirements to obtain a license, and due process provisions in regulations to ensure that child care providers have clear notice of what is required, the opportunity to comment on proposed changes, and an opportunity to correct minor deficiencies before they are posted on the Office of Child Care Licensing’s website as an instance of noncompliance. This Act also repeals language regarding implementation of the current section that is no longer necessary. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE CHILD CARE ACT.
HB 370SignedHeffernanThis Bill adds the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources and the Executive Director of Delaware CLASI or their designees to the Employment First Oversight Commission (hereinafter “EFOC”). The Bill also allows non-Delaware residents who work in Delaware for an employment agency that advocates or represents disabled individuals to participate on the EFOC. Finally, the Bill eliminates the prohibition on appointment of state employees to the EFOC under § 745 (1).AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.
HB 371SignedHeffernanThis legislation makes two minor modifications to Delaware’s background check process for prospective employees and volunteers at child-serving entities. It: 1) clarifies that an employer who must first obtain a signed authorization from the prospective employee for a Child Protection Registry Check, must attach that authorization to the request for the Registry check; and 2) only those persons currently on the Child Protection Registry may impact an employer’s decision whether to hire a person who is not otherwise expressly excluded from employment.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WELFARE.
SB 172 w/ SA 1 + HA 2SignedSokolaThis bill will increase the public transparency of education funding information by directing the Department of Education to: 1. Establish, in collaboration with stakeholders, a statewide approach for districts and charter schools for reporting expenditures at the school level and the school’s share of central office expenditures so that per-pupil expenditure data is consistent and comparable across the State. 2. Report per-pupil expenditure data with key information that provide context on differences in funding such as school type, student demographics, and student outcomes. 3. Provide optional trainings to increase understanding of the data. As a result, this bill is intended to enable all taxpayers, parents, and schools to understand their school spending and resources in order to make data-driven decisions for students. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL FUNDING TRANSPARENCY.
SS 1 for SB 91 w/ HA 1SignedSokolaThis Act creates a requirement that lodging establishments with an appliance that emits carbon monoxide or an attached garage have working carbon monoxide detection devices in each dwelling or sleeping unit. This Substitute Bill differs from Senate Bill No. 91 as follows: 1. It clarifies that the requirements of this chapter do not apply to a private residence that is occupied by the owner if no dwelling or sleeping units are available for pay. 2. It clarifies the definition of owner so that it includes artificial entities that own or actively manage a lodging establishment but does not include an equitable interest in an artificial entity that is an owner. 3. It changes the requirements for carbon monoxide detetection device installation so that the requirements are essentially the same as the requirements for smoke detectors in Chapter 66 of Title 16. 4. It incorporates the changes in Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill No. 91, including the effective dates for compliance. 5. It provides the State Fire Marshal authority promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. 6. It makes this Act effective on January 1, 2019. 7. It makes technical corrections to conform to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION DEVICES.
HB 403SignedYearickThis amendment removes the notary requirement for requests for absentee ballots in municipal elections. The notary requirement for absentee ballots in State elections has previously been removed.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ABSENTEE VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
HB 413 w/ HA 1SignedParadeeBefore the filing of a lawsuit, automobile insurance companies are currently not required to disclose liability coverage information to an injured claimant or the attorney representing that claimant. However, once a lawsuit is filed, this information must be disclosed. This legislation will reduce the number of lawsuits filed by requiring automobile insurance companies to disclose liability coverage information prior to the time that a lawsuit is filed.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE.
HB 420 w/ HA 1SignedLynnThis Act grants legal guardians the standing to petition or oppose a petition to change minors' surnames.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MINORS' PETITIONS FOR NAME CHANGE.
HB 429 w/ HA 3SignedBaumbachCybersecurity attacks, including data breaches, corporate theft, and sabotage perpetrated by state and non-state actors throughout the world present unique threats to Delaware residents, governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Statewide coordination is required to effectively ensure cybersecurity protection. Cyber-attacks have increased significantly, providing evidence that information security must be strengthened to guard against threats. The State must leverage every partnership and mechanism available to combat the growing number of cyber-attacks and breaches. Trends show attacks growing by 64% annually. 84% of organizations have experienced cyber-attacks in the last 12 months. This bill strengthens Delaware’s defenses by facilitating multi-industry coordination among critical sectors such as communications, emergency services, energy, financial services, healthcare, water, and government. The primary objectives of the Council will be to focus on sharing and analyzing cyber threat intelligence in a collaborative manner.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION.
HB 431 w/ HA 1SignedMatthewsThis Act requires long-term care facilities to offer the influenza vaccine to all employees with direct contact with patients. It also requires the facility to keep a record of a signed statement from each employee that the vaccine has been offered.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
HB 436 w/ HA 2SignedCarsonThis Act clarifies conditions under which a manufactured home owner can transfer the existing lot lease to the purchaser of the home. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HOME AND RENTED LOT TRANSFERS.
HB 437SignedWilsonThis bill allows the background plates (animal welfare, farmland preservation, Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute, Delaware Equine Council, and Keep Delaware Beautiful) issued by DMV to be displayed on trailers up to 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). It also increases the size of trucks that can display the plates from ¾ ton (10,000 pounds GVWR) to 26,000 pounds GVWR.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.
HB 441 w/ HA 1SignedCarsonDue to the delay in the prior authorization process by pharmacy benefit managers, many patients end up waiting days to weeks for medications to be filled that are prescribed on an emergency basis or for medications that have been previously prescribed for chronic and long-term conditions that must go through the prior authorization process again. To reduce the delay and hardship of this waiting process, this bill will put into place specified time tables to fill emergency prescriptions and to make subsequent prior authorizations for chronic and long-term conditions to be filled more readily.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHRONIC OR LONG-TERM CONDITIONS.
HB 449SignedHensleyThis bill permits the Town of Middletown to impose and collect a lodging tax of no more than 3 percent of rents on hotel and motel rooms located in the town.AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN RELATING TO MUNICIPAL POWER.
HB 451 w/ HA 1SignedBoldenThis Act stabilizes revenue for the Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act ("HSCA") Fund ("the Fund") by minimizing the wide swings in revenue due to oil prices changes. Under this Act, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ("the Department") is prevented from receiving a revenue windfall when oil prices rise, while minimum funding for the Brownfields Grant Program is protected when oil prices are low. The legislation ties HSCA funding to a median benchmark and authorizes the Division of Revenue to adjust the tax rate up or down for the following year to smooth the revenue stream and avoid the roller coaster effect of oil price changes. This Act caps the HSCA tax rate at 1.675% and allows the lowest rate to drop to .675%, versus the current HSCA rate of .9%. This Act sets aside a minimum of $5,000,000 annually in HSCA funds for the Brownfields Grant Program, which has leveraged private investment of 16 times the public funds expended in cleaning up polluted sites and returning them to productive use, generating jobs and tax revenue.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 RELATING TO THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE CLEANUP ACT.
HS 1 for HB 360 w/ HA 2SignedKeeleyAs poll from 2017 revealed that 31% of people in the United States have been sexually harassed in the workplace. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a comprehensive study of workplace harassment in the United States which concluded that between 25% and 85% of women reported having experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. However, the Commission estimated that 75% of all workplace harassment incidents go unreported. The purpose of this bill is to combat sexual harassment in the workplace and to ensure the safety and dignity of all employees in Delaware. This bill defines sexual harassment and makes employers responsible for the sexual harassment of an employee by a supervisor or by another employee when the employer knew or should have known about it and failed to take appropriate corrective action. Moreover, this bill prevents an employer from retaliating against an employee for filing a discrimination charge. This bill includes a requirement that the Department of Labor create an information sheet pertaining to sexual harassment that employers must distribute to employees. Employers having more than 50 or more employees in Delaware will be required to provide sexual harassment training to all employees and supervisory employees which must be conducted every 2 years. This bill also empowers the Department of Labor to investigate violations of this Act and gives the Department jurisdiction over all sexual harassment cases which includes an administrative process. This bill requires the Department of Labor to post the requirements in this bill on its website and perform outreach necessary to educate employers of the requirements. This bill takes effect on January 1, 2019.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.
SB 246 w/ SA 1 + HA 1SignedMcDowell This act provides greater flexibility for County and Municipal governments to enter into public-private partnerships for public lands. These agreements provide opportunities for the preservation of public land and limit the amount of government money required to maintain the land. This act is intended to abrogate the restrictions on permitted uses for public land, including public parks, held in a public trust as provided in the common law, including the restrictions set forth in Anderson v. Mayor and Council of Wilmington. 137 A.2d 521 (Del. Ch. 1958) and City of Wilmington v. Lord. 332 A.2d 414 (Del. Ch. 1975). aff'd, 378 A.3d 635 (Del. 1977). AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9 AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND PUBLIC LANDS.
HS 1 for HB 426 w/ HA 1SignedParadeeThis Act requires paid tax preparers to sign any tax return or refund they file and be subject to a $50 civil penalty for any violation with a maximum penalty of $25,000 in any calendar year. The Act also permits a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any paid tax preparer from understating a tax payer’s liability or taking an unreasonable position. The Act also permits a court to enjoin a paid tax preparer from, where required, failing to furnish a copy of a return or claim for refund, failing to sign a return or claim for refund, failing to furnish an identifying number, failing to retain a copy of the return, failing to be diligent or failing to correct information. The Act also permits an injunction if the paid tax preparer negotiates a check without permission, engages in any criminal conduct, guarantees payment of any specific tax refund amount, or engages in any other fraudulent or deceptive conduct.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TAXES.
HB 476SignedParadeeThis Act empowers each county to create regulations for the maintenance of for-profit cemeteries and to impose penalties upon those who do not abide by the maintenance regulations. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MAINTENANCE OF FOR-PROFIT CEMETERIES.
HB 475SignedQ. JohnsonThis 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 LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
SA 1 to HB 113PassedSokolaThis Amendment changes the effective date of House Bill No. 113 by 1 year to reflect the year that has passed since House Bill No. 113 was introduced. 
HB 483SignedRamoneThis Act creates a training minimum wage and a youth wage that is not more than $0.50 less than the minimum wage rate that becomes effective January 1, 2019. The increase in the minimum wage to $8.75 is also effective January 1, 2019.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MINIMUM WAGE.

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 113 w/ HA 1 + SA 1VetoedBaumbachThis bill changes the earned income tax credit from nonrefundable to refundable. This bill creates a table for the percentage of earned income credit for tax years 2018 and after. Currently, if spouses file a joint federal return but separate State returns, only the spouse with the higher taxes due can use the State earned income tax credit. This bill eliminates that limitation starting with tax year 2018 and provides that the credit shall be divided equally between such spouses.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
SB 149SignedLavelleThis legislation creates a fine for “Coal Rolling”, a practice that is often undetectable at the time of vehicle inspection due to the ability of an operator to change functions and increase emissions after passing inspection. Coal Rolling is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to increase the amount of fuel entering the engine in order to emit large amounts of black or grey sooty exhaust fumes into the air. It also may include the intentional removal of the particulate filter. Practitioners often additionally modify their vehicles by installing smoke switches and smoke stacks. In addition to the environmental concern of increased emissions, there is a safety component as the excessive emissions can impair a motorist’s visibility. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES, OPERATIONS AND EQUIPMENT, RULES OF THE ROAD, MISCELLANEOUS RULES.
HR 24 w/ HA 2, HA 3PassedBriggs KingSince its adoption in 2003, the Manufactured Home Owners and Community Owners Act ("MHOCOA"), Chapter 70 of Title 25, has proven to be an effective tool to protect the rights of tenants in manufactured home communities. During the years since its adoption, a number of issues and concerns have been identified by tenants, community owners, and the courts. This Resolution establishes the MHOCOA Task Force to review the MHOCOA in order to determine what changes, if any, are needed in order to improve this Act so that it supports a balance of protections and rights for all parties involved.AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MHOCOA TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND PROPOSE REVISIONS TO THE MANUFACTURED HOME OWNERS AND COMMUNITY OWNERS ACT.
SB 170 w/ SA 2SignedMarshallThis bill increases the minimum wage to be paid in this State beginning in 2018 and ending in 2021.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MINIMUM WAGE.
SB 191 w/ SA 1SignedMcDowell The Public Service Commission conducts an annual review of the process by which Delmarva Power obtains electricity to deliver to its customers. With 100% of supply coming from market based auctions, there has been little need to continue the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) planning process. Under current legislation, Delmarva Power must conduct a complete IRP every two years. The IRP, while helpful in exploring possible changes in long term approaches to electric supply, is an expensive process, the cost of which is added to utility rates. This Bill extends the filing time for future IRP’s to those occasions when Delmarva Power elects to make a significant change in its source of electric supply or as the Commission may direct. This will reduce the customer costs to complete an IRP every two years, along with Commission time and effort for review. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND DELMARVA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY'S INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING.
SB 189 w/ SA 2SignedMcDowell The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently found Delaware to be non-compliant with enforcement of underground excavation violations. This jeopardizes federal funding for the Commissions pipeline safety program. Two principal reasons for this have been the lack of notification to State agencies and the lack of enforcement when damage is known. This bill updates Title 26, Chapter 8 by ensuring notification of excavation damage to the appropriate State agencies for potential penalties or other enforcement proceedings. It provides that either the Attorney General or the Public Service Commission may enforce penalties appropriate for the circumstances and gravity of the violation.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY AND SAFETY ACT.
SB 193SignedSokolaThis Bill updates the State of Delaware’s False Claims and Reporting Act to make it compliant with the requirements of Section 1909 of the Social Security Act. Section 1909 of the Social Security Act provides a financial incentive for States to enact laws that establish liability to the State for individuals and entities that submit false or fraudulent claims to the State Medicaid Program. This incentive provides for a ten percent increase in the share of a qui tam recovery or settlement apportioned to the State. For a State to qualify for this incentive, State law must meet certain requirements enumerated under Section 1909(b) of the Social Security Act, so that the State’s law is at least as effective as the Federal False Claims Act. After review by the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health & Human Services (“OIG-HHS”), it was determined that Delaware’s current False Claims and Reporting Act fails to meet the requirements of Section 1909(b) of the Social Security Act. OIG-HHS has granted Delaware a two-year grace period, ending December 31, 2018, to address these deficiencies. This bill amends the False Claims and Reporting Act to bring it into compliance with the requirements of Section 1909(b). AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE FALSE CLAIMS AND REPORTING ACT.
SB 197 w/ SA 1SignedLavelleThis Act provides mandatory expungement eligibility to individuals who were convicted of the possession, use or consumption of marijuana prior to Delaware’s decriminalization of these offenses. To be eligible for the mandatory expungement, the marijuana conviction must be the applicant’s only criminal conviction. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND EXPUNGEMENT.
HB 404 w/ HA 1 + SA 2SignedM. SmithThe purpose of this Act is to clarify that registered agents in Delaware are obligated to comply with requirements, standards, guidelines, rules, regulations, and procedures as issued by the Secretary of State on matters involving filings submitted to the Secretary on behalf of corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. This Act will enable the Secretary of State to adopt requirements, standards, guidelines, rules, regulations, and procedures for commercial registered agents regarding verification of customer entities. This Act also clarifies that such requirements, standards, guidelines, rules, regulations, and procedures which the Secretary issues are exempt from Chapter 101, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 6 AND 8 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERED AGENTS WITH RESPECT TO ENTITIES AND ENTITY FILINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
SB 200SignedLopezThis Act prohibits drilling for oil or natural gas in Delaware’s coastal zone and territorial waters and precludes DNREC from issuing any permits in connection with the development of offshore drilling infrastructure, whether proposed for Delaware territorial waters or waters outside of the State.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFSHORE DRILLING AND THE COASTAL ZONE.
SB 212SignedPooreThis Act increases the maximum tax credit available for owner occupied historic property by $10,000. This Act also makes a technical correction to the existing law.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT.
SB 214SignedBushwellerThe Division of Forensic Science (“Division”) produces numerous postmortem examination reports, autopsy reports, and laboratory reports annually. Given the high volume, and consistent with National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation standards, this Act expands the period of time within which the Medical Examiner must complete a written report from 30 to 90 days. In addition, while “next of kin” is defined for purposes of the authority to provide corneas to eye banks, other references to “next of kin” in Chapter 47 of Title 29 (regarding the Division’s authority) are undefined. This Act provides a clear definition for Division employees and the public regarding who qualifies as “next of kin” and is intended to ensure that the confidential reports prepared by the Division are released only to the appropriate individual. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCE.
HA 2 to HR 24PassedBriggs KingThis Amendment makes the following changes to House Resolution No. 24: 1. It clarifies that this Manufactured Housing Task Force should build off the work that has already been done to review and revise the Manufactured Home Owners and Community Owners Act. 2. It changes 1 Co-Chair to Vice Chair. 3. It clarifies the number of members necessary for quorum and to constitute a majority vote. 
SB 252SignedEnnis This amendment would allow for landing areas located in agricultural preservation districts to be used for agriculturally related aerial spraying and applications such as seeding, as well as spraying and applications under government programs such as mosquito and noxious weed control, all subject to the written approval of the Foundation Board.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT RESTRICTIONS.
HA 1 to SB 246PassedHeffernanPursuant to this amendment, county and municipal governments may only rent public park lands for recreational purposes and related activities. 
SB 264SignedSimpsonThis bill permits the City Council of the City of Milford to impose and collect a lodging tax of no more than three percent on hotel and motel rooms located in the City of Milford, so long as it is approved by a majority of the City Council pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of the City of Milford.AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MILFORD RELATING TO A LODGING TAX.
SB 266SignedDelcolloUnder federal law, the cultivation of industrial hemp is only permitted for agricultural or academic research. There is federal legislation pending that may lift the restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp. Delaware law does not prohibit the cultivation of industrial hemp and Chapter 28 of Title 3 permits the cultivation of industrial hemp for agricultural or academic research to the maximum extent permitted by federal law. Industrial hemp is used in a wide range of products, including fibers, textiles, paper, construction and insulation materials, cosmetic products, animal feed, food, and beverages. Hemp comes from the same plant as marijuana, the Cannabis Sativa L but has a much lower amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the intoxication, than marijuana. The Department of Agriculture does not regulate industrial agriculture by specific crops, but instead, Title 3 has chapters on topics that impact agriculture broadly, regarding the regulation of areas such as pesticides, seeds, and grain inspection. This Act permits the Department of Agriculture to adopt any policies and regulations necessary to permit the cultivation of industrial hemp when federal law permits the cultivation of industrial hemp beyond agricultural or academic research and adds hemp to the definition of “grain” in Chapter 16 of Title 3. It requires a three-fifths vote because regulating industrial hemp may require the revision of regulations that would expand existing fees to hemp cultivation. This Act thus positions Delaware to immediately permit the industrial cultivation of hemp if and when the federal restrictions are repealed. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 RELATING TO THE CULTIVATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP.
HA 3 to HR 24PassedBaumbachThis Amendment revises the membership of the Task Force to reflect the merger of the Land Lease Homeowners Coalition, Inc. into the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association. It does not change the number or distribution of home owner representatives.  
SJR 7SignedMarshallThis Senate Joint Resolution authorizes and encourages the Delaware Department of Transportation to conduct a Work a Day Earn a Pay Pilot Public Works Jobs Program.ESTABLISHING A WORK A DAY EARN A PAY PILOT PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
HA 2 to HS 1 for HB 360PassedKeeleyThis amendment replaces the definition of “joint employee” with “employee placed by employment agency” to make clear that such employees are protected against sexual harassment. This amendment also changed the definition of independent contractor by using a definition already existing in Title 19 and clarified the definition of supervisor. This amendment changed the language in the definition of sexual harassment to track directly the federal definition as it appears in the Code of Federal Regulations. This amendment also clarifies that employers can distribute the information sheet physically or electronically to employees. This amendment removes the requirement that an employer provide 90 minutes of sexual harassment training. Finally, this amendment clarifies which employees are required to be counted and trained under subsection (h). 
SB 237SignedMcDowellThis Act provides supplementary appropriations to certain Grants-in-Aid for Fiscal Year 2019. Section 1 – Government Units and Senior Center $24,685,721 Section 2 – One-Times and Community Agencies $20,386,744 Section 3 – Fire Companies $6,760,542 Section 4 – Veterans Organizations $312,631 GRAND TOTAL $52,145,638 AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN GRANTS-IN-AID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS ACT; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
SJR 8SignedMcDowellThis Resolution provides the official revenue, refund, and unencumbered funds estimates for Fiscal Year 2019.THE OFFICIAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019.

Senate Committee Assignments

No Senate Committee Assignments

House Committee Assignments

No House Committee Assignments

Senate Committee Report

No Senate Committee Report

House Committee Report

No House Committee Report

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HA 2 to SB 170DefeatedRamoneThis amendment creates a training minimum wage and a youth wage that is not more than 50¢ less than the minimum wage rate. 

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

No Records