Home › Delaware › Bills
Bills

Delaware Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

Bill results

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2024

HB 248: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRE-PERMIT COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

This House Substitute bill clarifies it is only for new or substantially modified permits and specifies it is only for the following permits: (1) Clean Air permit; (2) Coastal Zone Act permit; (3) Solid waste permit; (4) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and (5) Hazardous waste permit. As in the original bill the applicant is still required to go through a community outreach process for any qualified project, defined as a project within an underserved community or within 3 miles of an underserved community that meets the definition of a “qualified project” under DNREC’s Regulations. Underserved community is defined as (1) A specified geographic area where the percentage at poverty level is greater than twice the State Average Median Household Income as determined by the most recent United States Census or (2) Any specified community in the most current community mapping tool on the Department’s website. It is anticipated that DNREC will have an environmental justice area viewer, or similar tool, as a link on its website. However, under this House Substitute bill the applicant must submit, with their permit application, a Community Outreach Plan. At a minimum the Community Outreach Plan must: (1) identify a facility community liaison; (2) schedule a community meeting in or within 3 miles of the boundaries of the underserved community; (3) provide a written overview of information to be provided in the permit application; (4) publish the community meeting notice on-line and in at least 1 newspaper and, if available, 1 in the predominate non-English language if the underserved community is identified as limited English proficiency, at least 30 days prior to the scheduled community meeting. The community meeting must allow for interaction and questions and answers. The community meeting must be recorded or transcribed and made publicly available. Any written materials and oral and visual presentations must be accurate, free of technical language, and written in plain English consistent with federal guidelines. The applicant must also provide an Underserved Community Outreach Report to DNREC as part of the permit application and review process by DNREC. The Report must include: (1) The community demographics that qualify it as an underserved community; (2) Community liaison’s contact information; (3) Benefits of the qualified project to the community; (4) Proposed activities and their impact on air, water, soil, and health; (5)That releases of emissions over permit levels will be reported in accord with DNREC regulations; (6) Description of operations conditions or control measures that serve to reduce or mitigate pollution associated with the permit application; (7) Compliance history of facility over last 5 years and verification that any fines, penalties and remedial obligations have been fulfilled; and (8) all applicable state and federal permits held by the facility. All material provided by mail or at the community meeting and all notices must also be provided to DNREC. Trade secrets, as defined in Title 6 of the Delaware Code, do not have to be disclosed in any community outreach materials or presentations. Under this House Substitute Bill DNREC must approve, reject, or require modifications to the Community Outreach Plan within 30 days of its submittal. If the proposed Community Outreach Plan complies with the requirements of this Act it must be approved by DNREC subject to any agreed modifications. Once approved by DNREC the applicant must complete the Community Outreach Plan within 3 months. If the Secretary of DNREC determines any false information was provided by the applicant, it will be considered a falsification of the permit application. All cost incurred in complying with these new pre-permit community outreach requirements are to be paid by the applicant. Under this House Substitute bill an applicant’s permit shall not be considered complete until a DNREC approved Community Outreach Plan is completed. This House Substitute bill not only requires the Department to promulgate regulations, within 6 months of enactment, but it adds they must be created in collaboration with a Stakeholder Committee made up of appointees of the Governor, the Secretary of the Department, the Chair of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the Chair of the Senate Environment, Energy, and Transportation Committee. This Act will be effective within 30 days of publication of notice by the Register of Regulations that DNREC has advised it that it has promulgated regulations to administer this Act.
Frank Cooke (D) Dave Sokola (D) Spiros Mantzavinos (D) Kendra Johnson (D) Eric Morrison (D)
signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 20, 2024

SB 207: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 170, VOLUME 84 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT AND DRUG TESTING STRIPS.

This bill removes the expiration date for Delaware's existing laws regarding xylazine, a drug often found in the opioid crisis. By deleting the specific clause that set the current regulations to end on November 29, 2024, the legislation ensures these rules remain in effect indefinitely. The changes directly impact state health officials and law enforcement who rely on these statutes to manage drug testing and control substance issues. Once signed by the governor, the state maintains its legal framework for addressing xylazine without needing to renew it annually.
Pete Schwartzkopf (D) Stell Selby (D) Nicole Poore (D) Kerri Harris (D) Trey Paradee (D)
in committee · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2024

HB 452: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 16 AND 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD-BASED PAINT.

This Act requires that all rental units constructed before January 1, 1978, are certified as lead free or lead safe by a specific deadline. Lead inspectors must be approved by the State to conduct inspections and if necessary, lead abatement and remediation. A certificate exemption may be issued for no more than 6 months. If the rental unit is uninhabitable, the landlord must provide alternative housing while the unit undergoes lead abatement or remediation. Recertification for lead safe units must occur prior to commencement of any rental agreement more than 4 years after the date the unit was last certified. Units must be recertified as lead free or lead safe if a lead-based paint hazard is discovered in the rental unit or if individuals residing in the unit develop elevated lead blood levels. Beginning July 1, 2026, every rental until constructed prior to January 1, 1978, shall include a disclosure as to whether the rental unit has been certified as lead safe or lead free. To help eligible landlords obtain lead certification or remediate their units, this Act creates a Lead-based Paint Hazard Control Grant and Loan Program. Preference for grants shall be given to families with young children, pregnant individuals, or tenants regularly visited by children under 6 years old. This Act also establishes a Lead-Based Paint Remediation Certification Committee to study the available workforce and available public funding to support the inspection and remediation efforts required by this Act along with the feasibility of meeting deadlines established under this Act. This Act also does the following: (1) Prohibits landlords from discriminating against individuals because they make a complaint or assist in an investigation or proceeding relating to a lead-based paint hazard in a rental unit or premises. (2) Prohibits landlords from discriminating against individuals residing in a unit who have elevated blood lead levels or children or pregnant individuals who may be affected by lead-based paint hazards. (3) Requires landlords to show proof that their unit is certified as lead free or lead safe in accordance with this Act prior to filing a complaint for possession with JP Court. (4) Requires that contractors performing lead-based paint abatement or remediation under the Delaware State Lead-Based Paint Program provide for the safety of workers performing lead-based paint remediation work, including free blood testing for workers at least every 3 months.
Kerri Harris (D)
signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 20, 2024

SB 210: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ENHANCED 911 EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM SERVICE BOARD.

This Act establishes the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Technology and Information or their designee as a member of the Enhanced 911 Emergency Reporting System Service Board by virtue of their position. The Act clarifies the Chief Information Officer, or their designee serve on the board so long as they hold their position and do not require the advice and consent of the Senate.
Dave Sokola (D) Cyndie Romer (D)
in committee · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2024

HB 399: AN ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS.

This Act creates a new state-level Department of Veterans’ Affairs, headed by a cabinet-level Secretary appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Department will take over most of the duties currently handled by the Commission on Veterans’ Affairs and its staff. The Commission will continue in its current form, but under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs rather than the Department of State, and it will continue to advise on the duties of the Department and make recommendations regarding the welfare of veterans in the State. The Department will assume the assets and liabilities of the Commission and current staff of the Commission will become staff of the Department.
Ed Osienski (D) Dave Wilson (R) Pete Schwartzkopf (D) Dave Sokola (D) Bill Carson (D)
passed · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2024

HCR 143: CONDEMNING FORCED ORGAN HARVESTING PRACTICES IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

This resolution calls on the General Assembly to encourage the Delaware medical community to educate the citizens of Delaware about the forced organ harvesting that occurs in China, in the event they decide to travel to China for an expedited transplant.
Rich Collins (R) Stell Selby (D) Mike Ramone (R) Lyndon Yearick (R) Val Longhurst (D)
passed both · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2024

HCR 151: RECOGNIZING JUNE AS “CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates the month of June as "Caribbean American Heritage Month" within the State of Delaware. It serves as a formal recognition of the significant cultural, historical, and professional contributions made by Caribbean Americans to the state and the nation. The resolution highlights the achievements of notable figures with Caribbean roots, such as Bob Marley and Kamala Harris, to underscore their impact on various fields including arts, government, and business. By passing this measure, the Delaware General Assembly aims to celebrate and honor the diverse heritage of Caribbean communities during the specified month.
Dave Wilson (R) Tim Dukes (R) Pete Schwartzkopf (D) Sherry Dorsey Walker (D) Dave Sokola (D)
Showing 1,621 to 1,632 of 5,473 bills