Sen. Bryan Townsend

This Act clarifies what constitutes a sawmill under Delaware law and adds definitions related to agriculture and silviculture. This Act recognizes forest products as unadulterated materials and makes clear their importance to support a thriving industry that maintains sustainable and healthy forests. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act is the result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Council on Libraries ("Council"). This Act updates the Council's membership composition, defines quorum, and adds other standard provisions, including member compensation and removal. One of the members that this Act adds to the Council is the president of the Delaware Association of School Libraries. At one time, the Department of Education had an Education Associate for Libraries, Media, and Technology, but that position no longer exists. This Act provides that, should the Department of Education ever re-establish that position or a position similar to it, the re-established position shall take the place of the president of the Delaware Association of School Librarians as a member on the Council. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill adds workforce and affordable housing programs to the current list of realty transfer tax eligible expenditures for New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties.

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative and Oversight Committee's review of the Advisory Council on Walkability and Pedestrian Awareness ("Council"). This Act codifies the Council, which was first established under Governor Ruth Ann Minner's Executive Order No. 83 (2006), disbanded in 2008, and re-established under Governor Jack Markell's Executive Order No. 54 (2015). This Act also updates the Council's membership, purpose, and goals to reflect current practices and needs.

This is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to protect our communities from gun violence. While there is a legal presumption that people arrested in Delaware will have an opportunity to post bail while awaiting trial, this right is not universal. The state constitution already allows individuals charged with capital offenses (murder) to be held without bail “when the proof is positive or the presumption great” that the defendant committed the crime. This proposed amendment bill would expand this provision to include the charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Crime data statistics reveal that the overwhelming majority of arrests for gun crimes involve individuals that have previously been arrested for other felony offenses. Carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony demonstrates a calculated willingness by the perpetrator to use a weapon in the furtherance of his or her criminal activity. By virtue of its availability, someone who makes the conscious choice to carry a gun while engaging in serious illicit acts is more likely to use it to threaten, intimidate, injure, or kill their victims. Allowing people that have been arrested for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony to be quickly released back into the community undermines the public faith in the criminal justice system and creates a climate of fear and intimidation. This proposed amendment would deny individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to use a gun in the commission of crimes against their fellow citizens an opportunity to commit additional offenses while awaiting adjudication on their pending charges.

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Governor's Commission on Community and Volunteer Services ("Commission"). This Act does the following: - Removes outdated language. - Incorporates federal requirements regarding Commission membership and duties. - Clarifies quorum. - Clarifies that the Delaware State Office of Volunteerism provides reasonable staff support to assist the Commission. - Codifies the duties of the Commission's Executive Director. In Delaware, the Administrator of the State Office of Volunteerism also serves as the Commission's Executive Director. The Executive Director is a nonvoting, ex-officio Commission member and administers staffing services for the Commission. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law with the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Council on Libraries. This Act repeals the Delaware Public Library Technology Assistance Act because Delaware Division of Libraries no longer issues technology grants.

This Concurrent Resolution encourages institutions, agencies, entities, and businesses that operate within Delaware, to purchase Delaware-grown food and value-added items. The Resolution also directs the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy to work with state agencies, higher education institutions, and other partners to prepare a report outlining current local procurement efforts to support a locally sourced food economy in Delaware, and to submit the report to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly by June 30, 2024. In addition, any updates on efforts must be submitted by December 31, 2024.

This concurrent resolution recognizes and honors the young women of Delaware participating in the 2023 session of Delaware Girls State.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to members of the Delaware State Bar Association on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the modern bar association in 1923.