By James DeChene, Armitage DeChene &  Associates

​Both the budget and supplemental spending bills passed this week, paving the way for a bond bill that will be a record breaking $1.3 billion. Added to that number is roughly another billion dollars in American Rescue Plan dollars, which can also be used to invest in infrastructure projects.
 
Other bills that saw movement were:

• A Ready in Six initiative to create a site readiness fund, SB127, passed and now goes to the Governor for signature.
• Passage of HB200, the Clean Water Bill, is legislation the Chamber has been working on for roughly four years. That bill now goes to the Governor for signature.
• A bill to expand the plastic bag ban, HB212, passed the House and was released from Senate Environment and Energy Committee. It is expected in the Senate for vote next week.
• A bill that establishes a buy in for apprenticeship programs for public works projects (SB184) passed the Senate. The Chamber opposes this bill as it disincentivizes Delaware companies from bidding on Delaware projects because the buy in amount is capped much higher in Delaware than in surrounding states. The Chamber will continue opposing the bill in the House.
• Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program ("FAST"), SS1 for SB65 w/ SA1, passed the Senate. The bill sets aside money to help offset the cost for those enrolled in an approved non-degree credit certificate program to help workers gain needed skills.

 
There are two legislative days left in this session with more to come.

By James DeChene, Armitage DeChene & Associates

This week the main event in Dover was the passage of SB15, increasing Delaware’s minimum wage to $15 by 2025. Of the nine amendments attached to the bill, none passed. The bill now goes on to the Governor for signature.
 
Also this week, HB200, a Chamber-supported bill related to water infrastructure investment, was released from Committee and is expected to be on the Senate agenda for a vote next week. SB127, another Chamber backed bill that would create a site readiness fund to offset the cost of development, is waiting for a House vote. HB77, which the Chamber opposes, is the latest version of legislation that would ban certain chemicals used as flame retardants in many consumer goods such as mattresses, consumer electronics, and upholstered furniture, was released from Committee. The sponsor has said he does not plan to work the bill for a House vote until January 2022.
 
There are just 5 legislative days left before the end of this session. Plenty of bills remain active and await action, including bills impacting the use of apprentices on construction projects to creating a new community solar program. A lot can happen between now and June 30. Stay tuned for more updates.

By James DeChene, Armitage DeChene & Associates

This week, the General Assembly continued its work before it ends in eight legislative days. Of note, the HB150, the bill to legalize recreational marijuana, was moved to next week to be voted on in the House. SB2, a bill to create a community solar program, passed the Senate.

Other bills that saw action this week: HB205, a bill to create a State-run IRA retirement program, was released from committee and now goes to the House appropriations committee before it will receive a House vote. Also, two amendments have been placed with SB15, the minimum wage bill. One would extend the implementation period by one year, and the other would freeze the bill at $13.25 in 2024.

The rest of June is starting to stack up. Yet to be voted on is the aforementioned HB150, SB15, and HB205, along with other pending bills related to business.

By Tyler Micik
 
The General Assembly returns next week. With only 11 session days remaining, there are many bills still pending. The issues discussed and voted on in the coming days will impact businesses large and small across a variety of industries. Some of which includes:
​

• SB15: The bill would gradually increase the Delaware minimum wage to $15 over a period of several years
• HB150: The Marijuana Control Act would legalize recreational marijuana as well as regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol
• SB1: The Healthy Delaware Families Act creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program
• HB205: The Delaware EARNS Act establishes a program to serve as a vehicle through which eligible employees may, on a voluntary basis, provide for additional retirement security through a State-facilitated retirement savings program in a convenient, cost effective, and portable manner

The State Chamber has been engaged in discussions regarding these proposals and others throughout the legislative session and actively communicates concerns with members of the General Assembly. We will continue to do so as the session comes to an end.
 
While next week’s committee meeting schedule has in large part not been announced yet, SS1 for SB 65 — the State Chamber supported Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program (FAST) Act — will be heard by the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday, June 9 at 1pm. The bill would provide tuition assistance to Delaware residents who have obtained a high school diploma and have enrolled in an approved skills training program. The State Chamber will be in attendance to provide testimony in support of the bill, but we also encourage our members to also testify.

Also next week, Representative Peter Schwarzkopf and Senator David Sokola will talk about some of these issues and other top issues before the General Assembly at our End-of-Session Policy Conference. Click here to register.
 
If you have any concerns, questions, or feedback about any of these proposals, please contact me at [email protected] or (302) 576-6590. You can also submit your feedback on our website here.