General Assembly Finishes Out Session Amid COVID-19

By James DeChene, Armitage DeChene & Associates
 
The General Assembly gaveled out of session early on July 1, 2020 in what was the earliest ending in recent memory due to what has been an almost indescribable year to date. With little to no drama on the money bills (Budget, Grants in Aid, and Bond) as they were passed on June 29th, the General Assembly was left to close out a few bills on consent agendas.
 
The Senate said goodbye to retiring Senator Harris McDowell, and the House bid farewell to retiring Representative Quinn Johnson. This means that for next session there will be two new co-chairs for the Joint Finance Committee and both the Senate and House Energy Committees will have new chairs as well.
 
As the General Assembly came back to session in January, members seemed poised to pass a series of legislation that included increasing Delaware’s minimum wage, expanding worker’s rights, and increasing the role and presence of private and public employee unions. Those bills largely went nowhere, and with the COVID-19 pandemic altering how the legislature would work, those bills were placed on hold until next year.
 
The same can be said for legislation the business community supported as well. Efforts to invest in clean water infrastructure, building a new high school in the City of Wilmington, modifying the state’s offerings of Association Health Plans and creating new workforce training platforms (more on that later) all took a pause as well.
 
That said, a number of bills important to the business community were introduced, and some were acted on in the final weeks of this session. They included:

• DSCC SUPPORTED
  • Passed
    • SB249: Title V, which deals with the Clean Air Act and must be reauthorized every three years
    • HB349: Alcohol takeout from restaurants, taverns and taprooms
  • No action
    • HB200: Invests in Delaware’s clean water infrastructure

 

• DSCC OPPOSED:
  • Tabled until next year
    • SB252: Deals with apprenticeship programs
  • Withdrawn
    • HB303: Deals with call centers
  • No action
    • HB110: Recreation marijuana legalization
    • SB105: Proposes an increase in Delaware’s minimum wage
    • SB250: This bill would dramatically increase Delaware’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, and significantly raise utility rates with other provisions

 
In the midst of three months of uncertainty, countless Zoom meetings with Governor Carney, members and staff from his Administration, the chambers of commerce community, stakeholder groups and others, there were a number of positives that were announced, and work completed ahead of schedule.
 
The State Chamber has long been an advocate for rural broadband development and adoption. Last year’s announcement of BlooSurf, a project to bring broadband to western Sussex and Kent counties was met with fierce approval. Originally slated to be completed in 18-24 months, the project was able to be completed in just over 12 by using federal CARES Act funds to speed up the building process. In July 2020, 15 towers are set to be completed. Efforts to promote residential adoption of broadband will roll out soon after in preparation for what could be another school year of distance learning. Now children in these communities will be able to be active participants. Similar broadband adoption efforts are taking place in Wilmington with the similar goal of making sure all children have access to distance learning efforts.
 
For the last year, the State Chamber has pushed for the creation of a workforce training program similar to what has worked with ZipCode Wilmington. A compressed, 40-hour week training schedule focusing on in-demand career paths that will help transition low-skill workers into better paying jobs. While the legislation creating this program was not worked on this year, we continue to work with Governor Carney and his Administration on creative ways to implement such a program, especially in light of the potential permanent job losses related to COVID-19.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Between now and January 2021, when the 151st General Assembly convenes, much will have happened:

• Phased openings for businesses and changes in guidelines for the general public will continue.
• How schools – both K-12 and our universities – will open and operate will be defined.
• Chair of the State Chamber’s board of directors, Katie Wilkinson is chairing the business subcommittee on the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC). The goal is to identify tactics and resources to manage a resurgence of COVID-19. The group will provide recommendations this fall.
• A better analysis of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the state and its finances will be clearer in September and beyond, which will in part help decide unemployment insurance rates and if tax increases will be on the table next year to shore up state finances.
• Changes will continue who and how many will continue to work from home, changing how commercial real estate and its uses going forward.
• Plus, there will be an election that will determine the make-up, and direction, of the next General Assembly.

 
There remains a great deal of uncertainty as we enter the second half of 2020. What does remain certain, however, is the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s dedication to advocacy on behalf of its members – the business community.
 
Look for more opportunities in the coming months to hear from experts on the latest trends as the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovery, continue to evolve. Also look for innovative networking opportunities and other creative ways to get your business noticed. For more information, check www.DSCC.com.