Delaware Bills

introduced · Delaware · House Jan 23, 2018

HB 102: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 8 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CORPORATION FRANCHISE TAX.

This bill increases the maximum annual corporation franchise tax in the amount of $60,000, from $180,000 to $240,000.

in committee · Delaware · House Jan 23, 2018

HB 30: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO INFORMATION RETURN FILING DEADLINES.

This Act conforms Delaware’s deadlines for filing certain information returns to those established in the Internal Revenue Code. In an effort to combat identity theft and taxpayer fraud, federal filing dates were recently changed. For example, starting in 2017 the federal deadline for an employer to file aggregated W-2 data with the IRS will be January 31, which is the same date on which W-2s are distributed to individual taxpayers. Prior to this change, the IRS did not receive W-2 data until March 1 meaning that there has been a one-month window in which it could not readily confirm the authenticity of W-2s filed with taxpayers’ returns. Like other states and the IRS, Delaware has had to devote considerable resources to combating fraud and identity theft. By conforming to the new federal standard, Delaware will have data on hand that will help identify and isolate fraudulent filings. As the State’s employers will already be required to comply with the new federal deadlines, conforming Delaware’s filing dates will result in no additional administrative burden.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jan 23, 2018

SB 135: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

In addition to legislation codifying the recommendations of the Clean Water & Flood Abatement Task Force, other important steps around clean water and clean-water infrastructure should be taken. This bill is intended to promote long-term freshwater security by facilitating private-sector investments in watershed enhancement projects designed to protect high-quality drinking water for Delaware. The bill provides that the Public Service Commission may allow a public utility to recover, in its rates, its reasonable incurred capital and ongoing operating costs for watershed enhancement projects that meet are: 1) confirmed as useful in protecting source water by the University of Delaware Water Resource Center; 2) placed into service; and 3) used and useful in the provision of public utility services within a 3-year period before a general rate case filing. The bill also provides that the Commission may authorize an allowance of funds used during the construction of such project. This bill is timely as private-sector entities are actively considering investments like these in areas that will improve Delaware’s water supply and freshwater resources, and in that Delaware advocates are receiving national recognition and funding for the development of these models.

in committee · Delaware · House Jan 19, 2018

HB 160: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO END OF LIFE OPTIONS.

The Delaware End of Life Options Act provides an additional option which terminally ill adults nearing their death can decide to select, to lessen their pain and suffering. The bill clarifies the procedures necessary for making the request, including 1) the presentation of all end of life options which include comfort care, hospice care, and pain control, 2) a physician’s evaluation, 3) medical confirmation by a second physician, 4) psychiatric/psychological counseling when indicated, 5) the passage of two waiting periods, and 6) the completion of a formally witnessed request for prescribed medication. The bill provides many safeguards to ensure the patient is making an informed decision, the right to rescind any request for medication, and immunity for persons participating in good faith compliance with the procedures. When the process is followed with its safeguards, the terminally ill patient is provided the right to receive medication to peacefully end the patient’s life in a humane and dignified manner.

passed · Delaware · House Jan 17, 2018

HB 260: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO GRANT-IN-AID.

This bill creates the Grant-In-Aid Committee. The Committee is a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. The purpose of the Committee is to review requests for grant-in-aid and to develop the grant-in-aid appropriations bill.

in committee · Delaware · House Jan 17, 2018

HB 234: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE POSSESSION OF DEADLY WEAPONS.

This act clarifies that the felony of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited shall not apply to persons who are prohibited from possessing a deadly weapon solely by their possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana, when such possession qualifies as a civil penalty under Title 16. This bill addresses the legal issue in State v. Murray (Del. Super. 2017).

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jan 17, 2018

SB 142: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

This Act eliminates the Delaware Compensation Commission in its entirety and makes necessary changes to the Delaware Code as a result.

in committee · Delaware · House Jan 16, 2018

HB 297: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DECREASING THE REALTY TRANSFER TAX.

This Act decreases by 1% the rate of realty transfer tax to be received by the State, thereby returning to the rate that was applicable prior to August 1, 2017.

in committee · Delaware · House Jan 16, 2018

HB 296: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ABLE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

This bill creates a tax deduction of up to $2,500 for an individual or $5,000 for a married couple for contributions to a qualified 529A savings account, or "ABLE" plan - a special account for meeting the needs of certain individuals with disabilities. The deduction may only be claimed by a taxpayer who makes less than $125,000 or a married couple who makes less than $250,000. It is applicable only to ABLE plans sponsored by the State of Delaware or offered by a consortium of states of which Delaware is a member.

passed both · Delaware · House Jan 11, 2018

HCR 55: PROVIDING THAT A JOINT SESSION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE BE CONVENED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BY THE HONORABLE JOHN C. CARNEY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Concurrent Resolution provides for a Joint Session of the House of Representatives and the Senate to be convened for the purpose of hearing an address by the Honorable John C. Carney, Governor of the State of Delaware.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jan 10, 2018

SB 148: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 16 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE RESTORATION OF THE DELAWARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

This Act restores the Delaware Prescription Drug Payment Assistance Program which was eliminated in the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Appropriations Act.

passed · Delaware · Senate Jan 10, 2018

SB 47: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURED HOME OWNERS AND COMMUNITY OWNERS ACT.

This Act requires that if a home owner association has made an offer under this section and 2 years have passed since the community owner first provided notice of the decision to sell, transfer, or convey the manufactured home community, the notice and right of first offer process in this section must start again before an ownership interest in the community can be sold, transferred, or conveyed. This Act also allows the home owner association to make a counter offer any time a third party makes an offer higher than the alternative price offered by the home owner association.

Bill results