Sen. Bruce C. Ennis

The “Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Investment Act” creates a new Chapter 16 of Title 17 that will accelerate investment in mobile broadband infrastructure and ready the State for the next wave of economic development in the digital economy. In recognition of the shift from landline to wireless communications, the Act authorizes wireless providers access to the State’s rights of way and establishes a Statewide policy for deployment of small wireless cells to meet the growing demand for wireless services which provide Delaware citizens with access to advanced technology, information and 911 services.

This Act allows the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a conditional license at the request of the Justice of the Peace for a Driving Under the Influence offender whose charge is still pending, but whose license has been suspended by the Division of Motor Vehicles. The conditional license can only be issued on the condition that the offender submit to continuous sobriety monitoring. This Act ensures that a person can enter a sobriety monitoring program, but not face the loss of full licensure that would negate the benefits of entering and participating in such a program.

This Act amends the Clayton Charter to provide more time between the deadline for filing requirements and Election Day.

The primary purpose of this bill is to provide for an increase in fees collected with annual hazardous chemical inventory reports submitted by facilities. The bill also makes certain technical corrections. Sections 1 and 2 of the bill add the term “safety data sheets,” where applicable, so that the terminology in Chapter 63, Title 16 of the Delaware Code comports with federal and international standards. Section 3 of this bill would increase the current fee per hazardous chemical from $40 to $60, and per extremely hazardous substance from $80 to $100, starting in 2018. Existing fee amounts are maintained for reports submitted late for back years. The fees were originally established in 1991, and have remained unchanged for 26 years. Fees collected are appropriated to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and are used primarily to support operation of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCS). Funds are also used to support emergency response vehicles for decontamination. Section 4 of this bill removes an unneeded provision that conflicts with the purpose of the fees as stated within Chapter 63. Section 5 inserts an exemption provision omitted when Chapter 63 was originally established, and provides alignment with related federal reporting requirements.

This bill clarifies that a Department of Correction's employee who has served for 25 years with at least 20 years as a correction officer is eligible to retire at 25 years.

SB 164 of the 148th General Assembly created a special license plate for professional paramedics and retired professional paramedics. This Act provides an additional officer, at the county level, to verify an applicant's eligibility for this special license plate.

For purposes of clarity regarding Delaware's commitment to supporting Delawareans with disabilities, including military service-related disabilities, this Act codifies existing county-level tax exemptions. Absent this Act, Delaware will continue to be one of the only states, if not the only state, that is silent at the state level with regard to exemptions for service-related disabilities. This Act requires a county government to provide exemptions to real property taxes for individuals with a disability that are at least as generous as the exemptions currently provided by the county government. In addition, if a county government provides an additional exemption to real property taxes for individuals with a disability who became disabled as a result of service in and while in the service of any branch of the United States armed services, the county government must provide exemptions that are at least as generous as the exemptions currently provided by the county government.

Section 1 of this Act enhances the State’s ability to collect delinquent taxes by (a) allowing for renewal of a judgment for unpaid taxes beyond the current 20 year limit for an additional term of 20 years, and (b) allows for recording of a judgment for unpaid taxes in any county of the State. Section 2 makes it clear that this legislation is effective as of July 1, 2017.

This Act makes updates to how reports of child abuse and neglect are handled by the various members of the multidisciplinary team. The Act codifies the multidisciplinary team and case. The Act adds additional duties to the Investigation Coordinator, law enforcement, the Department of Justice and the Division of Family Services that are current best practices but not required by law. The Act reorganizes the section pertaining to the Division of Family Services to reflect current best practices. The Act allows nurse practitioners to take emergency protective custody. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This bill allows holders of gill net and hook and line permits to accept transfer of quotas from other commercial fishermen and catch the combined hook and line and gill net quota for striped bass using the equipment for which they hold a permit. The bill also allows commercial fishermen to use gill net tags during hook and line activities and hook and line tags during gill net activities. Additionally, the bill eliminates a specific reporting requirement.