Rep. Danny Short

This Act amends Title 23 of the Delaware Code to increase the maximum draft limit applicable to sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet, enabling the safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and aligning pilotage standards with modern shipping practices. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill adds a new crime of application insurance fraud under the criminal code to include fraudulent statements submitted in support of an application to obtain or renew insurance or made for purposes of obtaining a commission or other payment from an insurer. This bill makes application-related insurance fraud a class A misdemeanor unless the benefits wrongfully obtained or sought to be obtained is at least $1,000, in which case application insurance fraud is a class G felony.

This Act creates a privilege for confidential communications between a victim and a victim advocate. The victim can waive the privilege with a signed waiver. The privilege may also be overcome in certain circumstances, including mandated reporting of child abuse, communications relating to the intent to commit a violent crime, and in state custody and child abuse cases. This Act defines a victim advocate as an employee of a victim services agency, or formal volunteer under the supervision of an employee of a victim services agency who has completed a minimum of 20 hours of advocacy training. This substitute bill incorporates the change from HA1 to House Bill No. 213 regarding the exception for child abuse and state custody cases. It also explicitly excludes law-enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice from the definition of victim services agency. It clarifies that the victim advocate may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the victim. Finally, it adds a process and criteria for a defendant in a criminal case to overcome the privilege in certain circumstances. This is intended to mirror the exception to the therapist-client privilege articulated in Burns v. State, 968 A.2d 1012 (2009).

This Act establishes the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act to provide targeted state income tax relief to tipped workers in Delaware. It creates a subtraction from income of up to $15,000 of qualified tips. The program sunsets the end of 2029 unless renewed. This legislation promotes fairness, supports workforce retention in the small business community, and addresses affordability challenges without new taxes or mandates on employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 28, 2026, as "National First Responders Day" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects first responders by officially recognizing their role through a state proclamation. The key mechanism is a formal declaration passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This action serves as a commemorative resolution rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution, titled "Celebrating the Spirit of America 250," is a ceremonial measure designed to honor a specific anniversary or theme. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or allocate any funding. The bill's primary effect is to formally recognize the "Spirit of America 250" within the legislative body.

This Concurrent Resolution encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) to explore and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware, and to submit a report containing those recommendations no later than January 1, 2027.

This Act raises the monthly deduction on taxable gross receipts allowed by restaurants from $100,000 to $250,000. Accordingly, the quarterly deduction allowed for restaurants with gross receipts of no more than 1.5 million in the previous year is increased from $300,000 to $750,000.

This Act requires that meetings of the Public Service Commission be livestreamed virtually and requires that members of the public have the opportunity to comment virtually.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Recognition Day" within the State of Delaware. The measure directly honors female veterans by officially recognizing their service on that specific date. It does not alter laws or create new programs but serves as a formal proclamation to acknowledge their contributions.