CLNCC's General Assembly Lobbying Report For Late March 2018

This morning, I thought I would share my lobbyist newsletter to the Civic League for New Castle County (CLNCC,) "Things of Interest Late March 2018" edition. 

It is vital for citizens of New Castle County to organize and strengthen their power through civic governance. The CLNCC is a prime conduit for empowering local residents. Consider joining us as a community group, a business, or an individual!

Things of Interest, Late March 2018

CLNCC

CLNCC will be choosing a new President at our Annual Meeting in May as Jordyn Pusey has filed to run for NCC Council. We are closely monitoring NCC Department of Land Use regarding potential changes to the level of service requirements in the UDC and the communities' struggles with golf course development applications for Cavaliers, Brandywine and Pike Creek and issues before the Historic Review Board.

Bill Dunn is the CLNCC nominee for the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC).

I attended a Lobby Day in support of Adult Use Cannabis (HB 110) and will be working with that group to increase public education on the merits of the legislation.

And congratulations to Connie Georgov for being honored by the League of Women Voters of NCC at this year's CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT AWARDS RECEPTION 

NCC

County Executive Meyer gave his FY 2019 Budget address last night and surprised council with requests for a 15% property tax and a 12% sewer fee increase (see news stories below.)

Two massive UDC amendments, 18-020 and 18-02, were introduced at the Council meeting (Agenda HERE) and bills up for votes included Hollins' amendment to the Traditional Neighborhood Housing ordinance (HERE.)


General Assembly

State Rep. Mike Ramone's HB 239, an act to amend Title 9 of the DelCODE relating to a vacancy in NCC office of county executive, passed the House yesterday!

The legislature breaks for spring for the next two weeks even as several snowfalls interrupted the regular order of  business this month.

House

Judiciary - House Majority Hearing Room - 12:30PM

HB 310 M. Smith - AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY STANDARDS BY DELAWARE ENTITIES.

Administration - JFC Hearing Room - 2:30PM

HB 73 Briggs King - bill requires an elected official or other paid appointed official of this state or any county or political subdivision who is also employed by any state agency, education, or other institution, or any other political subdivision of this State to disclose such employment to the Public Integrity Commission (PIC). This disclosure will assist the PIC and the State Auditor in evaluating if the official is receiving dual compensation for coincident hours of work.

HB 399 Longhurst - ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO EQUAL RIGHTS.

Public Safety and Homeland Security -  House Majority Caucus Room - 2:30PM

HB 294 Briggs King - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Education - House Chamber - 2:30PM

SB 90 Bushweller - bill would allow for a student to participate in the Inspire Scholarship Program for eight continuous semesters instead of the current six. This would allow a student to use Inspire Scholarships for each of the semesters during a traditional college program

HB 326 K. Williams - Act creates the Delaware Advance Scholarship Program (“Program”). The goal of this Act is to encourage Delaware students with intellectual disabilities to pursue studies for a comprehensive certificate or degree at a Delaware institution of higher education
HS 1 for HB 49 Jaques - ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY
HB 344 Briggs King -  language set forth in this statute would remove barriers and unrealistic goals to offenders with learning disabilities when being considered for parole or a sentence modification.

Health and Human Development - House Chamber - 3:30PM
SS 1 for SB 143 Townsend - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM.

Corrections - House Majority Caucus Room - 3:30PM
HB 357 J. Johnson - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MUNICIPALITIES.

Natural Resources - House Majority Hearing Room - 4PM
HB 270 Mulrooney - ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLEAN WATER FOR DELAWARE.

Senate 

Transportation - Senate Majority Caucus Room - 10:30AM
HB 328 Osienski - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

Corrections and Public Safety - Senate Majority Caucus Room - 12:30AM

HB 53 with HA 1 and HA 2 Miro -

bill allows ground-based and hand-held sparklers and certain other nonexplosive, nonairborne novelty items regulated by the federal government to be sold and used in the State. 

Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy - Senate Chamber Meeting Room - 1:30PM

SB 133 Lopez - Act acknowledges that the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been collecting natural resource data for years without the consent of the respective property owners. This Act further prohibits the dissemination of natural resource data to any person or entity without first disclosing the date and method of collection along with obtaining the written consent of the respective property owner. In the event written consent cannot be obtained during a two year period following the effective date of this Act, the Department must expunge, without the distribution or transmission to any other person or entity any natural resource data.

SB 134 Lopez - act enhances the penalty for Theft when the victim is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

Elections and Government Affairs - Senate Hearing Room - 1:30PM
SB 153 Hansen - Act creates the Delaware Native Species Commission ("Commission")
HB 92 with HA 1 K. Williams - bill provides that every member of the General Assembly or person elected to state office shall disclose as part of their financial disclosure if they have received more than $10,000 in the last 10 years due to the sale of land, development rights, an agricultural conservation easement, a forest preservation easement or any other type of easement to the State of Delaware, any county, any municipality, any public instrumentality, or any government agency or organization.

Judicial and Community Affairs - Senate Majority Caucus Room - 2PM
HB 103 Matthews - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HOME IMPROVEMENT FRAUD

HB 316 Longhurst - ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF DELAWARE CITY
SB 160 Henry - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
HS 1 for HB 330 with HA 1 Schwartzkopf - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Health, Children and Social Services - Senate Hearing Room - 2:30PM
This meeting will focus on the state of Delaware's drinking water and it's effect on the health of all Delawareans. The committee will be discussing water related, point-source regulatory frameworks in Delaware, including expert testimony

Education - Senate Hearing Room - 3:30PM

SB 85 Henry - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF TEACHERS OVER PUPILS.
HS 1 for HB 287 with HA 1 K. Williams - ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS.

In the News:

VIDEO | New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer proposes 15% property tax increase in FY 2019 budget

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer proposes budget with property, sewer tax increases

Meyer's NCC Budget Address 5:30PM Tuesday With Town Halls To Follow In Claymont, Newark, And Hockessin