Delaware lawmakers gather for the last day of the state's 153rd session. Here are key measures moving through Leg Hall on June 30:
Bond Bill and Grant-in-Aid bills
Lawmakers pass the state’s final money bills on the last day of session.
The Bond Bill cleared both chambers early Wednesday morning with lawmakers approving more than $1.2 billion dollars in capital spending, about $266 million more than the $934 million recommended in Meyer’s budget proposal.
But GOP lawmakers reiterated their complaints about some of that spending, specifically funding for Legislative Hall renovations and the Port of Wilmington Edgemoor expansion project.
State Rep. Mike Smith says he did not appreciate the Governor’s office entering into an agreement to add more port spending before lawmakers OK’d the money.
"The minute they signed that development agreement, that's $110 million I know there's a lot that we could each do in each of our districts, …. I'm not going to be holding up the Bond Bill or anything like that …but I don't think that we're doing the right thing here tonight by allocating that money without direct answers from the governor's office, moving forward," said Smith.
Republican State Senator Bryant Richardson also disagreed with the way the port funding aloocation was handled.
"The state may ultimately make a strong case for the Edgemoor investment, but the larger the public contribution, the clearer the performance standards should be. So, the standards weren't even known by the Republican members of the Bond Bill Committee, but yet we come, you come out and you said, "Okay, we're going to vote on it.', said Richardson.
In addition to feeling frozen out during the Bond Bill process, Richardson also questioned the equity of the distribution of capital funds across the state's three counties.
"If that's the way we're going to do business in Delaware, if the Democrats, because they're in the majority are going to continue to do this and shut out Republicans and then expect them to vote on it at the last minute, I'm not having a part of that " said Richardson.
Bond Bill Committee vice-chair, Democratic State Sen. Jack Walsh, defended the process and argued that over the last 5 years the distribution of funds among the counties was equitable.
"Between New Castle County and Kent and Sussex over the past five years, if you take out statewide projects, the breakdown is New Castle County 19.9% and Kent and Sussex 18.2%," said Walsh.
The Bond Bill also adds money for school construction projects. Both the port and school construction allocations rely heavily on the state’s unclaimed property fund.
The General Assembly also approved the annual Grant-in-Aid package for nonprofits, volunteer fire companies and senior centers. This year’s package totals $99.4 million. That’s $13.9 million more than the $85.5 Meyer proposed and and a bit more than $98 million spent last year.
New Castle County property assessment bills
Another round of property reassessment legislation – led by New Castle County state reps– head to the governor.
The group of bills sponsored by State Reps. Kim Williams and Cyndie Romer that build off legislation to correct property assessment issues head to governor Meyer.
HB 460 asks New Castle County building inspectors to report permits issued for new buildings, repairs, or additions made on a property to the local Office of Finance every month. This measure comes from hearing findings that New Castle County was working with incomplete information during their last reassessment.
And HB 461 also allows school districts to adjust their tax rates. State Senator Daniel Cruce says the bill includes a sunset.
"Just a couple of key provisions to note that the tax warrant deadlines stay the same, no later than October 22 2026 and the purpose again of this reset is the at the adjustments that were required to handle the ongoing tax roll changes following the general reassessment would be would include this, which would be ongoing changes to the to what would fall down to the school district level as well, related to what we could do with Senate Bill 228 and also what would happen with the ongoing assessment appeal process and adjustments"
HB 462 allows districts in Delaware's northern county to apply a split rate to residential and commercial properties. This extends a policy implemented last year but lowers the cap for businesses.
Emily Falcon, Colonial School District Chief Operating & Financial Officer, says because 461 allowing schools to temporarily reset rates, helps protect districts from revenue from lowering the commercial property cap.
The three measures passed the Senate with bipartisan support and head to Gov. Matt Meyer.
House amended version of SB 300's regulations on gun vendors
State Senate Dave Sokola said amendments made to his bill in the House by State Reps. Mara Gorman and Jeff Spiegelman improved it.
Broadly, SB 300 creates a new state license for gun vendors and added requirements.
It was sent back to the State Senate with amendments to exempt antique firearms from the legislation. It changes requirements that businesses must post hours publicly. And FFLs don't need to have conceal carry permits under the amendments.
Despite these adjustments, the GOP Senate lawmakers object to the bill, questioning its benefit to public safety and information to support the bill.
Sokola said eight other states have implemented similar legislation– which is aimed at reducing illegal purchases on guns.
It passed 14 yes 7 no.
Amendment to Delaware's constitution adding same sex marriage protections completes its first leg
House lawmakers vote to advance an effort codify same sex marriage in Delaware’s constitution.
After failing to pass last week, three House lawmakers - 2 Democrats and 1 Republican - flip their votes to support the same sex marriage amendment.
State Rep. Josue Ortega changed his “no” vote – despite his Catholic views - based on feedback he heard from his constituents.
"My duty in this role is to represent the people I serve and to ensure that every Delawarean is treated fairly under the law," Ortega said. "My vote today reflects that responsibility. It is not a vote against my faith."
The only Republican to vote for the measure - State Rep. Mike Smith - opposed the amendment last week because same sex marriage is already legal in Delaware. He also switched his vote based on constituent feedback.
"I did hear from a lot of members of my district, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness directly affects them in this issue," Smith said.
State Rep. Medinah Wilson Anton also changed her vote from “not voting” to yes. It passed the House 28 yes 12 no with 1 absent. It will need to pass in each chamber again next session to become part of the state constitution.
SB 326 stronger regs on Delaware utilities, cap on Delmarva spending
Delaware’s primary energy utility– Delmarva Power – can expect to see stronger spending oversight as SB 326 heads to Gov. Matt Meyer’s desk.
The measure asks for independent audits every five years of public utility spending under the authority of the Public Service Commission.
It calls out Delmarva specifically– limiting what it can recover for nonessential infrastructure spending, capping it at 5% of the rate base approved at its most recent increase..
Bill sponsor Sen. Stephanie Hansen says there's evidence Delmarva’s spending exceeds what’s necessary for repairs and population increase.
State Rep. Alonna Berry votes in support of the bill. But worries about setting caps.
I know we’re heading toward a heat wave right now but I think caps on any part industry is a risky policy…I do think we need to examine some of the policy choices we’re making for the state longerm
"Mandatory" spending - such as Delmarva’s vegetation management and inspection and maintenance programs - would be exempt from the cap.
Hansen says the 5% cap would decrease spending from $110 million to $50 million annually. But an added amendment caps spending at $70 million next year, giving the utility a more gradual decrease.
The bill cleared the House 30-11 Gov. Meyer is expected to sign it.
Other actions:
On the final day of session, lawmakers also confirmed Morgan Zern to service on the Delaware Supreme Court, replacing Justice Karen Valihura, who is stepping down after 12 years on the state's highest court to lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.
Operational budget signing
Tobacco tax increase does not advance
Gov. Matt Meyer's proposed operational budget, introduced in January, relied on a tobacco tax increase from HB 215. It was projected to bring in $18.9 million in revenue for the state next year. The bill was voted out of committee in April but was never heard in the House floor.
On June 30th Gov. Meyer said for him it was "less about the money" than it was about health concerns related to tobacco use.
