SPONSOR:	Rep. Q. Johnson & Sen. Hall-Long
	Reps. Baumbach, Spiegelman, Smyk, Viola, Wilson; Sens. Ennis, Lopez, Sokola

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 199

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE SHELL.

WHEREAS, the channeled whelk is a beautiful sea creature integral to the ecology and economy of the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the warm estuarine waters and sandy sediments of Delaware Bay provide excellent habitat for the channeled whelk and our beaches are graced by their unique shells; and

WHEREAS, whelks are harvested every year all along the east coast, including thousands of pounds by Delaware watermen, and whelk is exported every year to other countries;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by inserting a new section 324 as shown by underlining as follows:

§ 324. State shell.

The shell of the channeled whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) shall be the official shell of the State.

SYNOPSIS

This bill declares that the shell of the channeled whelk, which contributes to the beauty of our seashores, as well as to the marine economy of the State of Delaware, shall be the official shell of the State.