Legislative Wrap-Up »
Bill encourages healthier eating
A House bill unveiled Wednesday, April 2, is seeking changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aimed at encouraging better eating habits among recipients. Sen. Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, is the prime sponsor of the bill in the Senate. Rep. Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, is the prime sponsor in the House.
The SNAP program, often referred to under its previous “food stamp” moniker, aids eligible low-income Delawareans by providing a modest subsidy for the purchase of food.
Under the bill, aka the Delaware Nutritional Improvement Act, the Department of Health and Social Services would draft a list of approved, nutritious SNAP-eligible foods.
The bill also directs the DHSS to seek a waiver from the USDA to implement the improvements – a necessary step since the program is paid for with federal money.
The bill was distributed to all state legislators for sponsorship. It will be introduced in the state House of Representatives within the next week.
Campaign finance reform bills introduced
Rep. Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, introduced a package of four bills regarding campaign finance reform on March 25.
House Bill 281 clarifies how joint contributions to a political committee are to be attributed. This provision parallels federal law relating to joint contributions.
House Bill 282 clarifies Delaware’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act to protect employees who report campaign finance violations by their employers.
House Bill 284 requires political committees to report a contributor’s occupation and employment information, which is already required in federal campaign finance law.
House Concurrent Resolution 39 establishes an independent bipartisan committee of Delaware attorneys to review and recommend revisions to Delaware’s campaign finance laws with a report and recommendations due by Jan. 1, 2015.
Business roundtable with Short and Dukes
Representatives Danny Short, R-Seaford, and Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, are co-hosting a business economic forum with area chambers of commerce to discuss issues that impact Delaware’s small businesses.
The business roundtable forum will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 7, at Laurel Fire Hall, 205 W. 10th St.
The free event is designed to provide an open dialogue between state leaders and members of small business communities on issues including workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and economic development opportunities and initiatives.
Participating chambers include the Seaford Chamber of Commerce, Delmar Chamber of Commerce, Laurel Chamber of Commerce and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.
Invited panel participants include Delaware Economic Development Office Director Alan Levin, Business Development Leader-Sussex County for DEDO Melody Booker, Delaware Department of Labor Secretary John McMahon, Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Gene Reed. Other invited guests include the mayors of the towns of Delmar, Seaford, Laurel and Georgetown.
The format of the Business Roundtable Forum will include a 15-minute presentation by each of the organizations and then a question-and-answer session with the audience.
