The State of Delaware previously offered an employer match for state employee contributions to the deferred compensation program. The purpose of the match was to help state employees save and build wealth for retirement and to enable state government to recruit and retain talent by offering a valuable retirement savings benefit. In July 2008, during the Great Recession, the State suspended the employer match to cut costs. Every year since fiscal year 2008, the General Assembly has written in the annual appropriations bill: “It is the intent of the General Assembly that this program be reinstated when funding becomes available.” This Act updates the laws governing the employer match in anticipation of the General Assembly restoring the match this session and increases the maximum match to $20 per pay period. This Act also eases restrictions on which participants are eligible for the match. To help employees who are unable to save for retirement because of their student loan burden, this Act enables a match for employee’s student loan payments with employer contributions to their deferred compensation account. Congress enabled employers to make this type of matching contribution with the passage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, which was included in the Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This Act provides the Plans Management Board with the discretion to determine which plan the matching contributions should be deposited into.
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This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Delaware and highlights the importance of education, prevention, and early detection to reduce the impact of colorectal cancer.
Maddy summarySCR 28 is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 2025 as "Kidney Month" in Delaware. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about kidney disease, which affects approximately 2,698 Delaware residents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and highlights the state's 152 people on kidney transplant waiting lists. The resolution emphasizes the importance of early detection through screenings and healthy lifestyle choices like balanced diets and hydration. It was introduced by Senator Poore and passed unanimously by both legislative chambers in March 2025. This resolution serves as a public health awareness tool, not a policy change.
Maddy summarySCR 26 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 16-22, 2025, as "National Agriculture Week" in Delaware. It honors Delaware’s agricultural sector through symbolic recognition, highlighting the industry’s economic and cultural significance without creating new laws or policies. The resolution cites Delaware’s farm production (e.g., 601 million chickens raised in 2023) and farmland preservation efforts as context for the designation. This is purely a symbolic gesture with no direct policy impact or funding changes.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution encourages Governor Matt Meyer to light key Delaware landmarks purple in April to honor the over 7,000 military-connected children in the state. This gesture recognizes their sacrifices and shows support for the challenges they face, including time apart from deployed parents.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 18, 2025, as “National Youth Heart Screening Day” in Delaware and reaffirms our commitment to saving lives through prevention, education, and access to lifesaving tools and resources.
This resolution designates the week of March 10 through March 14, 2025, as “Civic Learning Week” in the State of Delaware to encourage schools and civic organizations to hold educational programs regarding civic duty and urge Delawareans to reflect upon the importance of their civic duty and responsibilities.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SCR 25) formally honors Darwin R. Wall of Middletown, Delaware, for his military service during the Vietnam War and his 2023 award of the Bronze Star Medal. It recognizes his role as a military police officer with the "Bushwhackers" unit who engaged in combat operations but was initially denied combat badges. The resolution expresses the State of Delaware's gratitude for his service and acknowledges his well-deserved Bronze Star, which he received after a lengthy process. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - only symbolic recognition.
Maddy summaryDelaware's Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 (SCR 24) formally recognizes Ireland's specific historical contributions to the U.S. War of Independence, including Irish military participation and naval leadership. It honors figures like Captain John Barry (known as the "Father of the American Navy") and Irish soldiers at battles such as Bunker Hill, as detailed in the resolution's preamble. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation, directing that certified copies be sent to Delaware's federal lawmakers and the American Ireland State Legislators Caucus. This procedural resolution directly affects Delaware's legislative record and its relationship with Ireland, without altering any laws or policies.
Section 1 of this Act increases the burial benefit for individuals receiving a pension under the State Employees’ Pension Plan (Chapter 55 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code) from $7,000 to $10,000. The amount of this benefit has not been increased since 2001 (See 73 Del. Laws, c. 146, § 5). Section 1 of this Act directly increases the amount of the burial benefit for individuals receiving a pension under the State Employees’ Pension Plan and also increases the funeral benefits under additional pension plans because the amount of the benefits under the following pension plans is the same as the amount under § 5546 of Title 29: • The State Police Pension Plan, Chapter 83 of Title 11. • The Delaware County and Municipal Police and Firefighter Pension Plan, Chapter 88 of Title 11. • The early retirement option for state employees, Chapter 53 of Title 29. In addition, Section 1 of this Act increases the reasonable funeral expenses permitted in a wrongful death action under § 3724(d)(4) of Title 10 because the maximum for these damages is the amount under § 5546 of Title 29. Section 2 of this Act delays the effect of this Act until October 1, 2025, to provide time to implement this Act after the enactment of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations act containing the funding for this Act. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.