Rep. Bill Carson

This Act replaces references to “Masters” in the Court of Chancery with “Magistrate”. The Court of Chancery, as Delaware’s court of equity, “traces its jurisdiction and powers to the High Court of Chancery in Great Britain at the time of the American Revolution.” DiGiacobbe v. Sestak, 743 A.2d 180, 182 (Del. 1999). At that time in British history, the High Court appointed persons bearing the title “Masters in Chancery” to examine witnesses and prepare reports of their factual findings in causes referred to them. On its formation, the Court of Chancery inherited the power to appoint judicial officers for similar purposes. The General Assembly later adopted laws, and the Court of Chancery adopted rules, expressly memorializing this power. Following the tradition of the High Court, those laws and rules referred to judicial officers appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Chancellor as “Masters in Chancery”. The title of “master” carries negative connotations due to the use of the term as the title of owners of slaves. Although the title “Master in Chancery” has no link to that historical context, the Court of Chancery is sensitive to the title’s negative connotations and so has proposed a new title, “Magistrate in Chancery”. 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 the Delaware General Corporation Law.

This Act amends §1311, Title 17 of the Delaware Code to allow for the Delaware Department of Transportation to vacate an old right of way of a newly realigned section of road by resolution.

This Bill is the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act.

This Act increases the length of time for a valid temporary tag from 60 days to 90 days. This Act also adds a new provision requiring temporary tags be issued through a temporary tag system, approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles, to further reduce fraud in the issuance of temporary tags, unless the Division of Motor Vehicles determines the temporary tag issuer must continue using temporary registration plates.

This Act provides supplementary appropriations to certain Grants-in-Aid recipients for Fiscal Year 2024. Section 1 – Government Units and Senior Centers $ 29,361,705 Section 2 – One-Times and Community Agencies $ 31,912,877 Section 3 – Fire Companies and Public Service Ambulance Companies $ 10,109,451 Section 4 – Veterans Organizations $ 608,591 GRAND TOTAL $ 71,992,624

This Act amends §134, Title 17 of the Delaware Code to allow for Secretary’s designee to sign traffic resolutions within incorporated towns and cities. The same authority already exists for traffic resolutions in unincorporated areas.

This Act requires drivers to change lanes or reduce their speed while approaching a stationary vehicle displaying warning signals, including vehicle hazard warning lights, road flares, traffic cones, cautions signs, or any non-vehicular warning signs.

This Resolution provides the official revenue, refund, and unencumbered funds estimates for Fiscal Year 2023.

According to the Mayo Clinic, miscarriages occur in about 20% of all pregnancies, and generally, in the first 12 weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 out of every 100 American pregnancies ends in stillbirth. Black women have a significantly higher risk of miscarrying— 43% higher when compared to white women. Black mothers are also more than twice as likely to experience stillbirth compared to Hispanic and white mothers. This bill provides State employees who suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth or other loss, a maximum of 5 days of paid bereavement leave. This Act shall be known as the "Sloane Hajek Act of 2023".

This Act appropriates $194,560,278 to provide one-time funded projects through the Office of Management and Budget.