Rep. Lyndon Yearick

This Act fully exempts property taxes for disabled veterans with a 100% VA rated service-connected, permanent and total disability or disabled veterans who are receiving 100% disability compensation due to individual unemployability. The 100% rating and disability compensation is determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The disabled veteran must be legally domiciled in the State for 3 consecutive years and own and occupy the real property as his or her primary place of residence to qualify for the exemption. This exemption only applies to the county portion of property taxes and not school taxes.

The Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee approved a project to work with the Governor's Office throughout 2018 and 2019 to identify antiquated boards, commissions, and councils that need statutory updates or outright repeals. The Delaware Health Resources Board was identified as needing 3 major changes: reducing the number of members to make it easier to make quorum and fill Board vacancies, updating language to provide for 3-year terms, and authorizing the Board to elect a vice chair. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill will add a new check-off donation box on the Delaware personal income tax return whereby individuals may choose to donate a portion of their tax refund, or designate an amount in addition to the tax they owe that will be transferred by the Division of Revenue to the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund held by the Delaware Community Foundation, who in turn will deposit the funds to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.

Sections 1 and 2 of this Act make clear that an individual who is the subject of a false report is a victim and is entitled to restitution and the benefits of the Victims’ Bill of Rights. Section 3 of this Act corrects an internal reference to § 1245 of Title 11 based on changes made in Section 1 of this Act. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Employment for formerly incarcerated individuals is a major barrier to transitioning and re-entering the community. The National Institute of Justice estimates that 60% of ex-offenders are jobless one year after their release. Improving access to employment opportunities for ex-offenders helps lower the State’s recidivism rates and will improve public safety and reduce taxpayer spending on prisons. This Act seeks to improve access to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals by establishing the Ex-Offender Employment Opportunity Tax Credit that offers a tax credit to employers hiring qualified ex-offenders in an amount equal to 10% of that individuals wages, with a maximum credit of $1500.

This Act includes the dollar amount of an Educational Support Professional of the Year award received by a State employee when determining the final average compensation used to compute the State employee's pension. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill is intended to facilitate the growth and expansion of Delaware licensed craft alcoholic beverage companies within the State by permitting them to continue to grow and expand in an increasingly competitive environment. This bill does not change the position of craft alcoholic beverage companies in the traditional “three-tier” system.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes Kevin Fitzgerald's achievement of being named 2018 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents.

This Concurrent Resolution designates the week of May 12, 2019 to May 18, 2019 as National Charter Schools Week and commends Delaware's charter public schools for their efforts in educating Delaware students.

This resolution encourages State of Delaware employees to make informed decisions about their health care during Open Enrollment and throughout the year as an important step to help control rising health care costs and to maintain high quality, affordable benefit options now and in the future.