This Act removes the sunset provision under § 315 of Title 26, relating to the electrical and natural gas utility distribution system improvement charge. By doing so, the Act leaves the current version of § 315 in effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that officially designates June 2024 as Pride Month in Delaware. It does not create new laws or change state policies but serves to acknowledge the historical significance of the LGBTQ+ community and its ongoing fight for equality. The text highlights the progress made since the 1969 Stonewall riots while noting that discrimination and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people, remain concerns. By recognizing this month, the legislature aims to show support for the community and reaffirm its commitment to fairness and dignity for all Delaware residents.
This Act moves the date of primary elections for statewide office, county office, and municipal office to the fourth Tuesday in April, which is the date of the presidential primary (in presidential election years). The dates for submitting and withdrawing notification of candidacy have been adjusted accordingly, as have the dates for notice of filing fees and background checks. Section 4 changes the “closed” period in which a voter is not allowed to change his or her political affiliation to match the 60-day limit in 15 Del. C. § 3189 for presidential primaries. This Act is applicable to all primary elections after December 31, 2025.
This Resolution proclaims June 19, 2024, 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.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that honors the high school girls who participated in the 2024 Delaware Girls State program held in Dover. It specifically names and commends the individual delegates from various schools across the state for their involvement in learning about the legislative process. The document also thanks the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Delaware for sponsoring the event and expresses hope that some participants will pursue future careers in public service.
This House Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.
This Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and authorizes the General Assembly to enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures for absentee voting in this State. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). This Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the Delaware Constitution.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Probation System Task Force to review the current state of probation in Delaware and provide findings and recommendations. The group will include legislators, state officials, service providers, and individuals with personal experience in the probation system. The Task Force is required to hold its first meeting by late September 2024 and submit a final report by July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 6, 2024, as a Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette throughout Delaware. The resolution commemorates Lafayette's historic visit to the state in 1824 and acknowledges his significant contributions to the American Revolution, including his service alongside George Washington and his role in the victory at Yorktown. By officially recognizing this date, the General Assembly encourages citizens to reflect on Lafayette's legacy of heroism, courage, and commitment to freedom and democracy.
This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 4, replacing Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 4. and Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 4. Like Senate Bill No. 4, Senate Substitute No. 1, and Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 4, this Act modernizes Delaware’s probation system, including by directing the courts, the Board of Parole, and the Bureau of Community Corrections to use the least restrictive probation and parole conditions and the most minimally intrusive reporting requirements necessary to achieve the goals of community supervision. This Act differs from Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 4 by doing all of the following: (1) Continuing the process of updating the Delaware Code to use people-first language to refer to an individual on probation or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system. (2) Removing the prohibition on imposing a sentence of incarceration for a technical violation and the special sentencing matrix for certain technical violations. As a result, the definitions for “non-technical violation” and “technical violation” are also removed. (3) Removing the requirement that periods of incarceration imposed when probation violations are found for multiple offenses be served concurrently. (4) Removing the requirement that for a court, Board of Parole, or probation and parole officer to impose a condition that an individual on probation not possess or use alcohol or controlled substances there must be a reasonable relationship to the criminogenic needs of the individual. (5) Removing the prohibition on a probation and parole officer from pursuing sanctions for nonwilful violations of probation, which include the following: a. An individual on probation’s failure to complete a program when the program refuses to provide services, the program is cost prohibitive, or access to the program is restricted beyond the control of the individual on probation. b. An individual on probation’s failure to follow supervision conditions when the individual on probation’s medical conditions or disability prevent compliance. c. An individual on probation’s failure to report based on factors beyond the individual on probation’s control. (6) Removing the prohibition on a court finding a probation violation occurred based on criminal conduct that the court acquitted the individual on probation of or dismissed the underlying criminal charge for. (7) Removing the repeal of a provision that permits the Department of Correction to deny earned compliance credits to an individual on probation for other categories of offenses that the Department establishes by rules and regulations. The Department is statutorily permitted to deny credits for individuals on probation for a sexual offense, a violent felony, and any offense in the Delaware Code if the probation is imposed to collect restitution at Accountability Level I. (8) Removing the requirement that there be a finding that the individual on probation poses a substantial risk of injury to others or of intentionally failing to appear for a revocation hearing before a court could issue an arrest warrant or the Department could deputize officers to make an arrest. (9) Making clear that outstanding balances owed on the home confinement fee imposed under § 4332(b) of Title 11, which is repealed by this Act, are discharged. (10) Clarifying that the requirement that a court, Board of Parole, or probation and parole officer presumptively impose the least number of conditions, and least restrictive conditions of supervision, possible to achieve the goals of supervision applies only to special conditions of probation. (11) Not including any changes to § 4334 of Title 11 (relating to arrests for violation of conditions of supervision and disposition of those violations) in this Act. (12) Providing for a delay in the effect of this Act. This Act takes effect 180 days after its enactment into law. This Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
