This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates May 2024 as "Small Business Month" in the State of Delaware.
This Act is a substitute for House Bill No. 359. This Act, like House Bill No. 359, changes the applicability of the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act. This Act differs from House Bill No. 359 because instead of applying all of the provisions of the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act to the State government, this Act limits the application to the State government only for purposes of a consumer enforcing a right under § 12D-104(a)(6) of Title 6 of the Delaware Code to opt out of the processing of the consumer’s personal data for the purpose of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, and profiling in furtherance of solely automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning the consumer.
This Act changes the name of the Division of Research to the "Division of Legislative Services" (Division) to more fully reflect the tasks that the Division performs. In addition to legislative research, the Division's tasks include drafting bills, editing the Delaware Code, staffing task forces, printing bills and other materials for the General Assembly, providing constituent and legislator services through the Legislative Information Office, and publishing the Register of Regulations and Administrative Code. This Act also gives the Director of the Division a consistent job title throughout the Code. Section 28 and Section 43 of this Act change "Legislative Council" to the Division to conform the law to current practice. For reports that must be submitted to the Division, this Act makes consistent that those reports must be submitted to the Librarian of the Division, in addition to the Director. Section 62 delays the effect of this Act until November 6, 2024, to coincide with the start of the 153rd General Assembly. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 29 to May 4, 2024, as "Auctioneers Week" in the State of Delaware.
This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supports a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, delivery of immediate and sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza, and diplomatic action to facilitate long-term and mutually respectful peace in the region.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 2024 as "Older Americans Month" in the State of Delaware.
This Act grants school districts and charter schools the ability to decide if they want to pay prevailing wage for school construction projects. This Act is in response to rising school construction costs. Between Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 school districts and charter schools stated they experienced $260,163,873 in market pressure inflation and asked the State to support a share of that, specifically $175,331,704. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Act clarifies portions of Chapter 49 of Title 6 and Chapter 63 of Title 21 of the Delaware Code pertaining to motor vehicle dealers. These additions and modifications are intended to further improve our State’s franchise laws and ensure that Delaware consumers have a stable, reliable, convenient, and competitive retail network for automobile sales and service. This Act is an effort to continue to ensure that the relationship between dealers and the manufacturers and distributors is as fair and equitable as possible and provides the highest level of consumer protection. The Act includes the following provisions: Definition Clarifications. The Act clarifies the definitions of “motor vehicle”, “new motor vehicle” and “dealer” to reflect technological advances and changes in industry business practices in the state. The Act also recognizes the limited circumstances issuance of a dealer license to a direct-selling electric motor vehicle manufacturer in 2023. Further, the Act defines motor vehicle selling activities that require licensing and regulation by the state. Fair Compensation for Required Repairs. Dealers are required by contract to perform warranty work for manufacturers. The Act ensures that dealers are fairly paid for performing manufacturer-directed repairs related to warranty repairs, maintenance programs and recall work. Intrusive Audits. Dealers are required by existing law to wait up to 30 days for payment for motor vehicle warranty repairs in order to allow the manufacturer to review and approve payment submissions. Manufacturers are also allowed to later audit such repairs and payments. The Act affords manufacturers a full 6 months to audit warranty claims but will reasonably prevent intrusive and time-consuming audits after 180 days, unless the audit involves cases of alleged fraud. Franchise Termination Compensation. Under existing law, manufacturers must repurchase certain motor vehicles, parts and special tools in the event of the termination of the dealer’s franchise agreement. The Act specifies a 90-day timeframe for payment and clarifies that it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to cover the cost of returns. Return of Unnecessary Tools & Equipment. The Act allows a dealer a limited opportunity to return and be reimbursed for the cost of certain tools and equipment that were required as a part of an electric vehicle program or agreement between that dealer and the manufacturer, if the dealer determines within two years after receipt that such tools and equipment are unnecessary or that sales volume and utilization are low enough to prevent the dealer from realizing a reasonable return on those forced investments. Sale & Subscription of Over-the-Air Features. The Act allows manufacturers to directly sell options, add-ons, features, improvements and upgrades by remote transmission to consumers, provided that the dealers are afforded an equal opportunity to sell the same products and services, and further provided that the manufacturer reasonably compensates the dealer for direct sales or subscriptions to the dealer’s customers for a specified period of time. Association Standing. Franchise laws have been enacted in all 50 states to recognize compelling state interests in protecting consumers and in regulating the disparity in bargaining power between motor vehicle manufacturers and their franchised dealers. Since dealers have a single source for their new motor vehicles, parts and accessories, many are reluctant to raise a single voice to object to unlawful activity by their manufacturer. The Act grants statutory standing to a large association of dealers to bring a legal action, in very limited circumstances, to ensure compliance with applicable law. Licensing. The Act provides that a manufacturer or distributor who was licensed as a motor vehicle dealer on or before May 15, 2023 is not eligible to receive any additional licenses. The Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. The Act is supported by the Delaware Automobile and Truck Dealers’ Association, Inc.
This Concurrent Resolution designates April 24, 2024, as "4-H Day" in the State of Delaware and calls upon Delaware's citizens to recognize the many contributions of the State's 4-H programs.
This Resolution pays tribute to the men and women of the Delaware National Guard for their service and sacrifices in support of defending our state and nation, and recognizes the outstanding advocacy provided by the National Guard Association of Delaware.
