Delaware Congressional Bills

passed · Delaware · Senate May 11, 2023

SRES 195: A resolution congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education, and supporting the ideals and goals of the 24th annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 7 through May 13, 2023.

SRES 195 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools nationwide for their contributions to education. It formally supports the 24th annual National Charter Schools Week (May 7-13, 2023), encouraging public recognition of charter schools' role in providing diverse educational options. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it solely expresses legislative support for charter schools as part of a symbolic observance. It directly affects the charter school community by acknowledging their work during a designated national week.

Tim Scott (R) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 11, 2023

S 1576: CREST Act of 2023

The CREST Act of 2023 establishes federal research, development, and pilot programs to advance carbon removal technologies that capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or oceans. It creates specific programs for biomass carbon removal (including algal systems), geological carbon mineralization, ocean-based carbon removal, and direct air capture technology manufacturing, with funding totaling millions of dollars annually for these initiatives. The bill also establishes a carbon removal purchasing pilot program where the Department of Energy would buy carbon removal services from eligible companies at set prices, requiring measurement, reporting, and verification of carbon removal activities. The legislation defines key terms related to carbon removal and sets requirements for the technologies and approaches that qualify for federal support.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 11, 2023

S 1552: Coastal Fellowships Act

S 1552, the Coastal Fellowships Act, establishes two fellowship programs - the Coastal Management Fellowship and Digital Coast Fellowship - to provide training, mentorship, and professional development for individuals pursuing careers in coastal management, policy, science, or law. Qualified fellows receive annual stipends of at least $47,000 (adjusted for inflation) for up to two years, with funding covering travel, health insurance, and professional development. The program directly supports coastal states and partner organizations by building local workforce capacity to address coastal vulnerabilities, while offering direct federal hiring opportunities to successful fellows. It authorizes $1.91 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to administer these fellowships.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 11, 2023

S 1590: Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2023

This bill extends monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payments to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease. It changes the eligibility rule so that veterans diagnosed with ALS at any point before death - regardless of how long they had the disease - are treated as if they met the required duration for benefits. The change applies to veterans who died from ALS on or after October 1, 2022, ensuring surviving spouses receive benefits they previously might have been denied due to timing. This directly affects the families of veterans with ALS who pass away, streamlining access to financial support.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 11, 2023

S 1323: SAFE Banking Act of 2023

The SAFE Banking Act of 2023 creates a legal safe harbor for financial institutions that provide services to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses and hemp-related legitimate businesses. It prevents federal banking regulators from taking adverse actions against depository institutions for serving these businesses solely because they operate within state-legal marijuana frameworks. The bill also ensures income from legal marijuana businesses can be considered for qualifying for federally backed mortgage loans and requires updated guidance for suspicious activity reporting related to these businesses. These provisions aim to address longstanding banking access barriers for businesses operating within state-legal marijuana and hemp industries.

Jeff Merkley (D) · 42 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · House May 11, 2023

HR 3276: Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act of 2023

HR 3276 establishes two pilot programs under the National School Lunch Act. First, it creates a $10 million, 3-year grant program to help schools serve 100% plant-based meals (no animal products) to students, prioritizing schools serving high proportions of low-income students and supporting culturally appropriate meal planning. Second, it creates a $2 million pilot to reimburse schools for costs of providing nondairy milk substitutes for students with dietary needs, targeting schools with high lactose intolerance rates. Both pilots require annual reporting on participation and outcomes, with the dairy substitute program ending after 3 years. The bill directly affects public school food authorities serving eligible students.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Delaware · House May 11, 2023

HR 3211: Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2023

HR 3211, the Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2023, provides federal grants to rural community colleges and career training centers to develop workforce programs using virtual reality, augmented reality, and similar immersive technologies. These programs target workers in rural areas facing job shortages or needing reskilling for in-demand sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and clean energy. Grants require programs to be accessible for people with disabilities and align with local workforce plans to address specific job gaps or retrain workers from declining industries. The bill mandates competitive grants for up to five years, with reports tracking outcomes like participant demographics and employer alignment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

in committee · Delaware · House May 11, 2023

HR 3238: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023

HR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Darin LaHood (R) · 273 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 10, 2023

SRES 99: A resolution supporting the goals of International Women's Day.

SRES 99 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023). It recognizes women’s fundamental rights and emphasizes that empowering women contributes to global peace, economic growth, and sustainable development. The resolution affirms the Senate’s commitment to ending discrimination against women and promoting their meaningful participation in society, while honoring women’s rights advocates worldwide. It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but symbolically underscores the importance of gender equality as a foreign policy priority.

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 10, 2023

S 1529: FIGHT Act of 2023

The FIGHT Act of 2023 prohibits sponsoring, exhibiting, attending, or live-broadcasting animal fighting events, and bans transporting roosters for such purposes. It directly affects individuals and organizations involved in animal fighting, including those who broadcast events online. The bill allows any person to file a civil lawsuit to stop violations after 60 days' notice, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation, and permits seizure of property used to facilitate these activities. The law does not override state laws banning animal fighting, except in cases of direct conflict.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Cory A. Booker (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 10, 2023

S 1515: Retired Pay Restoration Act

This bill, S 1515 (Retired Pay Restoration Act), allows military retirees with service-connected disabilities to receive both their retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, starting January 1, 2024. It directly affects military retirees who are eligible for both benefits but were previously required to choose one due to a prior law. The key change eliminates a previous phase-in period and removes a requirement that forced retirees to forgo one benefit, instead establishing clear eligibility for concurrent receipt. The amendment applies to payments for months beginning on or after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Jon Tester (D) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 10, 2023

S 1547: Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2023

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2023 directs U.S. foreign aid to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally by 2030, focusing on priority countries with high mortality rates and vulnerable populations like the poorest communities, conflict-affected areas, and indigenous groups. It requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to create a 5-year strategy identifying specific health barriers, setting measurable targets, and scaling evidence-based interventions through community-based approaches. A new "Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator" will oversee implementation, coordinate with partner countries and organizations, and ensure resources align with proven health solutions. Annual reports to Congress must track progress using metrics like deaths averted, service coverage, and funding allocations for transparency and accountability.

Delaware Congressional Bills

Bill results