Rep. Bill Bush

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 3. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 3. in that it incorporates technical corrections made to the Delaware Constitution by House Bill No. 10 (153rd General Assembly). Like Senate Bill No. 3, this Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and provide an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). Although Section 1 of this Act creates an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse, a qualified voter who desires to cast an absentee ballot must request an absentee ballot from the Department of Elections for each election cycle, unless the qualified voter is granted permanent absentee status. This State’s current absentee voting law authorizes permanent absentee status for various reasons (see § 5503(k) of Title 15 of the Delaware Code) and this Act adopts those reasons. For each election in which a qualified voter votes by absentee ballot under a permanent absentee status, the qualified voter must take an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter remains eligible for permanent absentee status. Section 2 of this Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation otherwise required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI 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 Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes this month to highlight awareness of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to encourage public education and support for those affected by the disease. The measure was passed by both the Senate and House without additional legislative requirements.

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "Epilepsy Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness.

This resolution recognizes April 6, 2026, as "Tartan Day" in the State of Delaware and commemorates the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States. When the United States was first formed and the thirteen states selected their first governors, nine were of Scottish ancestry. All the members of the first American cabinet had Scottish ancestry. Delaware's first governor, John McKinly, was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish descent. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant, influential role in the development of this country. However, not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate. Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998 National Tartan Day was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008 making April 6 National Tartan Day. In April of 2008, then Governor Minner issued a statement celebrating the accomplishments of Scots-Irish Americans in the First State as part of a Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month. April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence. Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish-American cultural organizations.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "Equal Pay Day" in the State of Delaware. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of the date when women must work into the year to earn what men earned in the previous year. It affects the state by establishing an official commemorative date for awareness of wage gap issues. The resolution was passed by both the House and Senate without requiring a formal vote count.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 30, 2026, as National Doctors' Day in Delaware to honor physicians and surgeons for their contributions to public health. It specifically recognizes the Delaware Chapter of the American College of Surgeons for their life-saving service and dedication to improving healthcare in the state. The measure establishes an official state recognition date but does not create new laws, funding, or operational requirements. It serves as a commemorative resolution rather than a policy change affecting daily operations or regulations.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 2. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 2 in that it incorporates technical corrections made to the Delaware Constitution by House Bill No. 10 (153rd General Assembly). Like Senate Bill No. 2, this Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to specifically authorize early, in-person voting for the general election, a primary election, and a special election filling a vacancy in the General Assembly. Specifically, this Act provides that early, in-person voting is to occur on 10 calendar days before the date of the general election, primary election, and special election, including the Saturday and Sunday immediately before the election. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI 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 Constitution.

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

This House Concurrent Resolution expresses gratitude to the men and women of the Civil Air Patrol for their outstanding service to the State of Delaware.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 29, 2026, as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects state officials and the public by establishing an official commemorative date for honoring Vietnam War veterans. The resolution requires no new funding or administrative changes, serving only as a formal recognition of the date. This legislative action is symbolic and does not alter any existing laws or policies.