Sen. Jack Walsh

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 23-29, 2023, as "Crime Victims' Rights Week" in the State of Delaware. The following websites provide more information on Crime Victims' Rights Week and the resources available to victims and survivors of crime: Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, at https://dcadv.org Delaware Victims' Rights Task Force, at https://delawarevictimservices.org.

This Act creates a separate offense for theft of a catalytic converter. A first offense of catalytic converter theft is a class A misdemeanor unless the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, in which case it is a class G felony. A second offense of theft of a catalytic converter within the previous 5 years is a class G felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property. Where a victim is 62 years of age or older, an adult who is impaired, or a person with a disability, a first offense of theft of a catalytic converter is a class G felony unless the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, in which case it is a class F felony. A second offense of theft of a catalytic converter within the previous 5 years is a class F felony, regardless of the value of the property stolen. Where the value is the property is more than $50,000 but less than $100,000, theft of a catalytic converter is a class D felony. Where the value of the property is $100,000 or more, theft of a catalytic converter is a class B felony. This Act increases the reporting requirements for scrap metal processors when they acquire scrap metal including catalytic converters. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act requires the State to fund a Mental Health Professional and Mental Health Coordinator position for each district and charter school by the 2024-25 school year. The Mental Health Professional and Mental Health Coordinator must develop partnerships with community-based organizations, work to establish collaborative relationships with the school, families, and local community, create an implementation plan, and undertake an assessment of the district's mental health needs.

This Senate Resolution respectfully requests the President of our United States of America posthumously pardon the Delaware Underground Railroad hero and abolitionist John Hunn.

This Concurrent Resolution observes April 2023, as the 2023 Month of the Military Child in the State of Delaware. This Resolution also recognizes the late Colonel Dr. Ronald G. Sarg (USAF, ret.) and his participation and commitment on the MIC3 (Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission) State Council.

This Act removes all penalties for use or possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana and marijuana accessories. It further specifies that the adult sharing of a personal use quantity or less of marijuana is legal activity for those 21 years of age or older and that those 21 or older may possess, use, display, purchase, or transport accessories and personal use quantities of marijuana without penalty. When transporting in a vehicle, those items must be in a closed container or otherwise not readily accessible to anyone inside the vehicle. The statute also specifies certain activities which remain unlawful. Finally, the definition of "personal use quantity" of marijuana is updated to include not only 1 ounce or less of leaf marijuana, but also equivalent amounts of marijuana product in other forms.

Under this Act, a premium cigar means any roll for smoking that is all of the following: 1. Made entirely of tobacco, including the wrapper, binder, and filler. 2. Hand rolled. 3. Contains no filter, tip, or any mouthpiece consisting of material other than tobacco, or any additional flavoring. This Act lowers the tax rate for premium cigars from 30% to 20% of the wholesale price so that Delaware's tax rate is consistent with the tax rates for premium cigars in surrounding states. The tax rate in Maryland is 15% and there is no tax on premium cigars in Pennsylvania. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act prohibits the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control from promulgating rules and regulations restricting the sale of fuel-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs in Delaware. This Act does not change the emission standards fuel-powered vehicles must currently meet. The provisions of this bill would be retroactive to March 1, 2023.

House Bill No. 34 requires school boards, including charter schools, to permit public comment on each agenda item presented for a vote at a school board meeting. The public comment period must take place before the school board vote on an agenda item. The school board may reasonably restrict the time, place, and manner of the public comment period. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill No. 34 makes the following changes: 1. Clarifies that public comment is not required on procedural items on the agenda that require a vote such as a request to approve minutes or enter into executive session; 2. Removes language referring to open meetings; and 3. Makes other non-substantive changes to improve the bill’s clarity.

This bill adds a Delaware licensed psychiatrist as a voting member of the Adult Correction Healthcare Review Committee.