The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously passed a measure aimed at ending the tradition of extending legislative business beyond midnight on June 30 of each year. Under House Bill 411, the General Assembly would only be constitutionally mandated to stay until 5 p.m. on the last day of June. “Five o’clock becomes the new twelve o’clock, basically,” said …
Delaware House votes to legalize marijuana possession
The Delaware House of Representatives has passed a bill to legalize marijuana in the First State. Well, sort of. What the bill does House Bill 371, sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, would make it totally legal to possess one ounce or less of marijuana, except for those who are under the age of 21. Under the bill, possession of …
Landlords could not require cats to be declawed under new bill
Photo: Pixabay A bill released from the House Housing and Community Affairs Committee Wednesday would make it illegal for landlords to require tenants to have their cats declawed. Landlords would still be able to choose not to rent to tenants with pets. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, said the bill is necessary because the act of declawing is …
Ruh-roh: Bill filed to fine barking dogs in Delaware
Image: Getty Images Pro Delaware dog owners could soon be slapped with barking tickets if their pups don’t shut up. A bill filed in the House of Representatives would ban dogs from terrierizing communities by barking, whining or howling for a period of 15 minutes — or intermittently for 30 minutes or more. The bill is set to be considered …
Paid leave bill to be walked through House committee
The Healthy Delaware Families Act is expected to proceed to the House Appropriations Committee despite not receiving the requisite number of votes in the House Health and Human Development Committee Wednesday. Photo/Getty Images. The bill to create a statewide paid family and medical leave program faced a slight hiccup on its journey to becoming law Wednesday. The Healthy Delaware Families …
Bill aims to reduce regulatory burden on small businesses
A proposed bill in the House of Representatives would require state agencies to consider the burden new regulations would impose on businesses and take steps to minimize those impacts. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, before adopting a new regulation, state agencies would be required to complete an economic impact statement. The statement would identify affected businesses, determine the cost of …
State Rep. calls $300 relief check a bribe
The bipartisan proposal to give every adult Delawarean $300 in direct relief was formalized Friday after lawmakers filed the bill, which they dubbed the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program. House Bill 360 will result in the issuance of a one-time payment to every Delaware resident taxpayer who filed personal income tax returns for tax year 2020, and adult residents who …
House to hold committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely
The Delaware House of Representatives will conduct committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely, Democratic leaders announced Thursday. The hybrid format allows members of the public to attend hearings and offer comments in-person, or from the comfort of their homes. During the pandemic, the General Assembly conducted the majority of its committee meetings and floor sessions virtually. The House and Senate …
Smith, Kowalko both draft bills to create inspector general
Two bills set to be filed in the General Assembly would create an inspector general’s office in Delaware to investigate claims of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption within state government. Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, said while Delaware already has a state auditor and attorney general, the inspector general’s office would “fill a gap in their coverage.” “The inspector general …
General Assembly votes to remove earnings cap on police, fire disability pay
The State Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday to remove the cap on the amount of money a police officer or firefighter can earn when out of work on disability. All 21 senators signed on as co-sponsors. Under current law, when an officer or firefighter is out on disability, any earnings greater than that which they collected at the time …