Rep. Ed Osienski

This Act expands the statute for obtaining criminal background checks from just employees and contractors within the Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance who have access to federal tax information, to all new hires, transfers, promotions, contractors, subcontractors, and volunteers of the following departments, divisions, and offices: (1) Division of Unemployment Insurance; (2) Division of Paid Leave; (3) IT staff of the Department of Labor; (4) Individuals with access to the Workers’ Compensation Second Injury Fund within the Division of Industrial Affairs; and (5) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation who work one-on-one with vulnerable clients. This Act also allows the Delaware State Bureau of Identification to provide criminal history record information that arises after the date the background check is completed, known as rap back, and requires current employees of various divisions and positions within the Department of Labor to submit fingerprints so the Department may be notified if an employee’s criminal history record information changes. Finally, this Act moves the background check provision contained in Chapter 33 to Chapter 1 of Title 19, given its broader scope.

This Act amends the Newark Charter by authorizing the City of Newark to levy and collect a per student, per semester tax on Colleges and Universities that host in person classes which are located within the boundaries of the City of Newark. This tax applies to all colleges and universities including any organizations that are considered subdivisions or agencies of the State of Delaware or are otherwise tax exempt, including but not limited to the University of Delaware. The amount of the tax will be adjusted annually in an amount not to exceed the change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, not seasonally adjusted). It also limits the available payment methods to restrict the use of credit cards for the payment of the aforementioned tax. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend a municipal charter.

This Act updates certain statutory fees in Title 7 and establishes or updates certain permit and licensing fees found in 68 Del. Laws Ch. 86 (1991). These are fees charged for regulatory activities within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) divisions of Air Quality, Waste and Hazardous Substances, Water, and Watershed Stewardship, most of which have not changed or been updated since 1991. The intent of the increased and new fees is to bring revenue generated by fees more in line with the cost of the regulatory programs and activities they support, including the cost of employees who work in those areas. The effective date for the fee changes is 180 days after enactment. Fees that are assessed by application or activity will be seen by applicants or permit holders the next time they apply for or renew permits or licenses after the effective date. Those who apply for permits or renewals before the effective date will pay current fees. Fees that are assessed on an annual basis will be seen by applicants the first time they pay the fee after the effective date. Certain fees for municipalities will not take effect until July 1, 2026 and will be billed at 50% of the new rate in the first year. DNREC is required to keep a complete list of fees and assessment on its public website. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 10 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to increase the effective rate of any tax levied or license fee imposed.

The Department of Transportation commissioned a study which was performed by the University of Delaware which calculated the impact on the Transportation Trust Fund by the increase in registration of electric motor vehicles, plug-in electric motor vehicles, non-plug-in electric motor vehicles, and other fuel motor vehicles. The Transportation Trust fund is the source of funding for the Department to perform all road and bridge improvements in the State. This Act assesses an additional registration fee on owners of electric motor vehicles, plug-in electric motor vehicles, non-plug-in electric motor vehicles, and other fuel motor vehicles to make up for the declining motor fuel tax revenue impacts on the Department, as well as the increased costs associated with these types of vehicles which are generally heavier than traditional passenger motor vehicles with increasing roadway impacts. This Act further increases several revenue sources in the following ways: 1) Assesses a one-time set up fee to a nonprofit organization to create a special license plate. 2) Increases the fee for issuance and renewal of a driver’s license from $40 to $50. 3) Increases the fee for a sex offender registration license replacement from $5 to $10. 4) Increases the issuance and renewal of a commercial driver’s license from $48 to $55. 5) Increases the fee for renewal of a non-commercial driver’s license Class A or B from $40 to $50. 6) Increases the fee for adding an endorsement to a commercial driver’s license from $5 to $10. A $10 fee for removing a restriction on a commercial driver’s license is now charged. 7) Increases the fee for taxicab endorsement and renewal from $3.45 to $10. 8) Makes the fee for a duplicate identification card for a lost or destroyed identification card set at $20. 9) Makes the fee for a replacement identification card due to name change $10. 10) Increases the fee for a dealership license from $100 and $50 for renewal. 11) Increases the document from 4.25 % to 5.25%. The effective date for these increases is generally October 1, 2025 to allow time for computer reprogramming and effective implementation. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Apprenticeship and workplace-based training are “earn while you learn” systems that offer young people the chance to learn from the best trained construction workers in Delaware. Skilled craft apprenticeship programs offer the necessary capacities, resources, and flexibility needed to help low-income, minority, and female workers achieve and retain construction careers, while simultaneously assisting local construction employers obtain the skilled workforce they need to help drive growth in their local labor markets. This bill removes the “buy-out” for contractors to avoid participating in apprentice programs by paying into the Apprenticeship and Training Fund created in 2021. This “buy-out” benefits bad actors or those businesses only coming into Delaware to work on state taxpayer-funded projects whereas most Delaware merit shops and 100 percent of union shops have apprentice and training programs. The “buy out” also incentivizes contractors or never create training because the maximum cost of the buy-out is less than the cost to operate, fund, or participate in an apprentice program.

Maddy summaryHCR 75 is a ceremonial resolution honoring young women from Delaware participating in the 2025 Delaware Girls State program. It directly recognizes high school students involved in this youth government program, which teaches civic engagement. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment from the Delaware General Assembly, passed by both the House and Senate, but does not create new laws or affect any policies. It has no legal effect beyond expressing legislative support for the participants.

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes September 24, 2025, as Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day, September 25, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Suicide Awareness Day, September 26, 2025, as Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day and September 27, 2025, as 911 Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day, in Delaware.

This Resolution proclaims June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" in Delaware and encourages the people of Delaware to reflect upon the significant roles and many contributions of African Americans, and to celebrate this day with appropriate activities and events.

Maddy summaryHCR 61 is a ceremonial resolution designating June 2025 as "National Homeownership Month" in Delaware. It does not create new laws, regulations, or funding; it simply commends the importance of homeownership through official recognition. The resolution affects Delaware residents and state entities by encouraging community events and awareness during that month. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding legal effect on individuals or policies.

This Substitute to House Bill No. 98 differs from House Bill 98 as follows: -This substitute provides clarification on the taxation of infused beverages, which is set at $0.50 per container. -This substitute removes language pertaining to consumable hemp products. -This substitute specifies that the Act takes effect 90 days after enactment. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 11 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to impose or levy a tax or license fee.