WHEREAS, the benefits of a healthy aquaculture industry are vast, including the growth of a new job market, increased environmental health of the inland bays, and an increase in an important food source for Delawareans; and
WHEREAS, under current Delaware law, 343 acres for shellfish aquaculture in the inland bays has been made available to aquaculture farming, but only 18 acres are currently utilized; and
WHEREAS, excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the inland bays is known to be detrimental to the health of the inland bays and a balanced ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, a well-managed aquaculture industry could significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the inland bays and promote biodiversity, job creation, food sourcing, and the development of a new industry throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, estimates from other states with a healthy aquaculture industry demonstrate that annual revenue from the industry could reach into the millions of dollars for Delaware’s economy and hundreds of jobs.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152
nd
General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Delaware Aquaculture Task Force (“Task Force”) is established to study and make recommendations for the growth and expansion of the aquaculture industry in the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in performing its duties, the Task Force shall study and make recommendations regarding the following:
(1) The statutory and regulatory barriers to expanding our aquaculture industry.
(2) Financing barriers to expanding our aquaculture industry.
(3) The current and future infrastructure needs for expanding our aquaculture industry.
(4) The pathways for workforce development in the Delaware aquaculture industry.
(5) Any other impediment to growing and expanding our aquaculture industry as the
Task Force identifies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is composed of 15 members, or a designee selected by a member serving by virtue of position, comprised as follows:
(1) A State Senator from the Majority Caucus, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2) A State Senator from the Minority Caucus, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3) A State Representative from the Majority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4) A State Representative from the Minority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5) The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, or their designee.
(6) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, or their designee.
(7) The Secretary of the Department of Education, or their designee.
(8) The State Bank Commissioner, or their designee.
(9) A representative of the Sussex Conservation District, appointed by the Governor.
(10) The President of the Delaware Aquaculture Association.
(11) The Executive Director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, or their designee.
(12) Two representatives of institutes of higher education with institutional expertise in aquaculture, appointed by the Governor.
(13) A representative of Sussex Economic Development Action Committee knowledgeable in aquaculture, appointed by the Governor.
(14) One member who is currently licensed as an aquaculture farmer, appointed by the Governor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chair and Co-chair
of the Task Force will be appointed by Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, respectively.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a quorum of the Task Force is a majority of the Task Force’s members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that:
(1) Official action by the Task Force, including making findings and recommendations, requires the approval of a majority of the Task Force members at a meeting where a quorum is present.
(2) The Task Force may adopt rules necessary for its operation. If the Task Force does not adopt rules or if the adopted rules do not govern a given situation,
Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure
governs.
(3) The Task Force may invite individuals with relevant expertise to participate in Task Force discussions.
(4) A member of the Task Force with the ability to designate another individual to attend a Task Force meeting must provide the designation in writing to the co-chairs. An individual attending a meeting for a member as a designee has the same duties and rights as the member.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Co-chairs of the Task Force are responsible for guiding the administration of the Task Force by doing, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Setting a date, time, and place for the initial organizational meeting.
(2) Supervising the provision of notice to individuals of their selection to serve on the Task Force, and
the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Task Force.
(3) Providing a list of the members of the Task Force with the name of the person who appointed the member, meeting notices, agendas, and minutes to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council.
(4) Ensuring that the final report of the Task Force is submitted to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with copies to all members of the General Assembly, the Governor, the Director and the Librarian of the Division of Research of Legislative Council, and the Delaware Public Archives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delaware Department of Agriculture is responsible for providing reasonable and necessary support staff and materials for the Task Force to carry out its mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall hold its first meeting no later than July 30, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Co-chairs of the Task Force must compile a final report containing a summary of the Task Force’s work regarding the issues assigned to it under this Concurrent Resolution, including any findings and recommendations, and submit the final report no later than December 31, 2024.
