THIS WEEK IN DOVER

By Tyler Micik

Today wraps up another busy week for the General Assembly as they head into break over the next two weeks for Joint Finance Committee (JFC) markup. The JFC is responsible for drafting the state’s annual operating budget and grant-in-aid acts. The committee met in February and held public hearings to discuss Governor Carney’s recommended budget and will finalize the budget over the next two weeks. The General Assembly will return to session on Tuesday, June 7, which is also the State Chamber’s End-of-Session Policy Conference.
 
The Conference will be held at Delaware State University from 10am – 12:45pm. Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola and Speaker of the House Peter Schwartzkopf will discuss the current state of affairs in the 151st General Assembly as we near the end of the legislative session. The conference will also feature presentations on key topics including consumer protection, Ready in 6 and site readiness, and workforce development. You can learn more and register here.
 
Several bills saw movement this week. Of note was HB420. This bill is the first of three expected proposals from Representative Bush to improve efficiency within the states permitting process for economic development projects. The bill would make the state's Preliminary Land Use System (PLUS) process optional. The State Chamber is supportive of the bill because it as a crucial step in improving the permitting process for economic development projects here in Delaware. According to the KPMG report on permitting efficiency, the state’s PLUS process adds approximately three months to the permitting process. The speed of decisions is critical, and this proposal improves efficiency without putting health and safety at risk. It would also help Delaware compete for economic development projects, which in turn provides good paying jobs and opportunities for Delawareans. The bill passed the House and now heads to Committee in the Senate.
 
Other bills that saw movement:

• SB209: This bill was released from House Economic Development Committee and moves to the House for a full vote. The State Chamber testified in opposition to the bill because it would require Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of up to $1 million. It’s unclear what problem this is trying to solve as Delaware already has one of the most comprehensive insurance requirements in the country. Delaware requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers medical expenses for anyone, regardless of fault. This will add unnecessary costs and result in reduced driver earnings and increased rider fares, negatively impacting a service many Delawareans rely on for transportation—whether for leisure or to get back and forth to work. Lastly, no evidence exists of passengers getting harmed or not being compensated in the unlikely event of an accident.
• HB372: The Delaware Marijuana Control Act, one bill in a two-part approach by Representative Osienski to legalize recreational marijuana was defeated in the House. The bill proposed regulating and taxing marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.
• SB287: This proposal addresses the relation between land development and schools with regards to planning by allowing school boards into the development approval process. It was released form the Senate Education Committee and moves to the Senate for a full vote.
• SS1 for SB134: Prohibits food establishments from providing consumers with a single-service plastic coffee stirrer, cocktail pick, or sandwich pick or with ready-to-eat food or a beverage in polystyrene containers. The bill was released from Senate Environment and Energy Committee and heads to the Senate for a full vote.
• HB299: The act prohibits businesses from refusing to accept cash payment, except in limited circumstances. The bill passed the House and now heads to Committee in the Senate.

 
The State Chamber will continue to review and work these bills as the legislative session draws nearer to its June 30 close. As always, please direct feedback to me at [email protected]. We also hope to see you on June 7 at our End-of-Session Policy Conference where these bills and more will be discussed. Register by clicking the image below.

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