Two bills pending in House committees would mandate stricter punishment for those that endanger first responders or damage their equipment. State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck/Oak Orchard) is sponsoring House Bill 329, aimed at motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way of an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens. State Rep. Jesse Vanderwende (R-Greenwood/Bridgeville) said he decided to offer …
DNREC details how wind farm cable will come ashore in park
State officials this week laid out the way they expect transmission lines from an offshore wind farm to be installed under the 3 Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park. During an information open house at Bethany Town Hall Tuesday, DNREC representatives displayed posters around the room loaded with information. One said four cables will be bored 60 feet under …
26 amendments later, permit to purchase bill goes to Carney
After 26 proposed amendments and about nine hours of discussion, the permit to purchase bill has passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to Gov. John Carney for signature to become law. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington, would require most Delawareans to obtain a permit …
Bill adding asexuality, pansexuality into law moves to House
A move to add asexuality and pansexuality to the state definition of sexual orientation led to conversations about what those terms mean — and a warning that adding them could one day lead to adding pedophiles, too. Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Newark/Bear, said the idea for House Bill 275 came from a member of Delaware’s LBGTQ+ community who identifies as pansexual. …
House committee rejects bill to create student felony assault
A week after the Milford School District was placed on lockdown and subsequently closed to ensure student safety, a new bill was introduced to the General Assembly to punish those who commit assault in schools. House Bill 22, sponsored by Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Camden, makes intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury to an employee, contractor or subcontractor of a public …
Governor Carney’s Statement on Senate Confirmation of Cynthia Karnai as Director of State Housing Authority
DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Senate’s vote to confirm his nomination of Cynthia Karnai to serve as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).  “Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for their votes confirming Cynthia Karnai as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority,” said Governor […] Staff WriterThis post was …
Neal introduces new bill to protect gender-affirming care
A day after killing her first bill dealing with protections for medical professionals dealing with gender-affirming care, Rep. DeShanna Neal introduced a new version Wednesday. The Elsmere/Newport representative’s House Bill 346 would expand protections for individuals seeking, receiving and providing gender-affirming health care. “As a mother to two beautiful transgender daughters, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of gender-affirming care. …
Safety concerns surround bill OKing javelin as DIAA sport
A new sporting event could be adopted into track and field competitions across the state. Senate Bill 211, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, makes the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association adopt javelin as an approved event for all DIAA-sponsored track and field competitions. In presenting the bill to the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, Brown pointed out that javelin has historical …
Avalanche of comment delays alcohol shipments bill
A lengthy discussion in the state legislature Tuesday led to a delay in a bill allowing direct-to-consumer alcohol shipments. House Bill 259, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Townsend-Clayton, would allow farm breweries, microbreweries and craft distilleries to conduct direct-to-consumer sales of wine, beer, spirits, mead and hard cider. Spiegelman’s bill also would allow state liquor stores to conduct home deliveries, …
Bipartisan bill would see Inspector General at work by 2025
A much-debated Office of Inspector General would be up and running by early 2025, if a new bill passes the Delaware Assembly by the end of June. Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, would create the Office of Inspector General, an independent watchdog agency empowered to investigate waste, fraud,and abuse in the executive and legislative branches of state government with Senate Bill …