Rep. Josue Ortega

This Senate Joint Resolution directs the Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance (DMMA) to explore amending our Delaware Medicaid State Plan to allow for the adoption of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) From-Conception-to-End-of-Pregnancy (FCEP) option and the creation of a Health Services Initiative (HSI) that will allow our State to use federal funding to partially cover prenatal and postpartum care for individuals otherwise ineligible for free or low-cost health-care coverage due to immigration status. This Joint Resolution also requires DMMA to provide a report to the General Assembly as to its findings no later than January 1, 2026.

Currently, the microbrewery statute permits a business to own 1 microbrewery and up to 2 brewpubs (a microbrewery that also has a restaurant as part of its business). This legislation would permit a microbrewery to choose to operate either 2 brewpubs or 1 additional microbrewery and 1 brewpub, under common ownership. The total number of licenses the business could hold remains 3, but it allows the business to choose 2 microbreweries and 1 brewpub, or 1 microbrewery and 2 brewpubs. A microbrewery can also choose to operate just one establishment.

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.

This Act replaces the phrase "United States Armed Forces or of the National Guard" with "uniformed services of the United States," and defines "uniformed services of the United States" as meaning any of the 8 of the United States service branches and the National Guard. Usage of "Armed Forces" or "military" is often misunderstood to mean only the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and United States Coast Guard. Using "uniformed services of the United States" more accurately includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corp. This Act makes clear that veterans all 8 services branches are qualified to obtain veteran designation on their driver licenses. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill will improve customer service by extending the due date on toll violations from the thirty-first day to the sixty-first day, after the date the violation is transmitted. This bill amends the administrative fee by stating that the fee may be "up to" $25.

Maddy summarySCR 113 is a non-binding resolution designating November 2025 as "National Adoption Month" in Delaware. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies but serves to formally recognize and promote awareness of adoption-related causes within the state. The resolution is intended to support adoption efforts and honor adoption stories during that month. This measure affects Delaware's legislative recognition of adoption, without implementing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summarySCR 110 is a resolution designating September 7-13, 2025, as "National Assisted Living Week" in Delaware. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes this week to highlight assisted living services within the state. The resolution directly affects Delaware residents by encouraging community awareness and appreciation for assisted living providers during that specific week. It has no financial impact or binding obligations, serving solely as a commemorative gesture.

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 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.