Bills ready for action on General Assembly’s return

The second half of the 153rd General Assembly convenes Tuesday, Jan. 13, with legislation awaiting action in both chambers.

The two-year assembly allows legislation worked on in the first year to carry over into the second.

On the Senate agenda for a vote are Senate Bill 26, which addresses unemployment compensation for employees eligible for unemployment benefits when there is a labor dispute that results in a lockout, and Senate Bill 188, which exempts law enforcement agencies from the state’s permit-to-purchase firearms laws.

A concurrent resolution is laid on the table urging the Delaware River & Bay Authority to scrutinize existing contracts and future contracts with Avelo Airlines. The airline already announced it intends to end its involvement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flights after two upstate senators filed legislation aimed at airlines that transport ICE detainees without a valid judicial warrant or demonstration of due process, and another bill relating to jet fuel tax exemptions for those airlines.

Senate Bill 207 sponsor Sen. Ray Seigfried, D-Arden, said the bill was never about singling out a company; however, Avelo is the only airline operating out of the Wilmington airport. Siegfried said his bill will not move forward at this time.

On the House side, SB 106 is slated for action after passing the Senate May 20 with 20 votes and one absent.

The bill requires each school district and charter school to adopt a policy on cellphone use by students during school hours. A House amendment set a date of Aug. 31 for policies to be posted online.

SB 213, a hospital budget review bill that came out of an agreement with the state and ChristianaCare over the hospital’s Chancery Court lawsuit, will be discussed in the Senate Executive Committee Jan. 14.

Other bills that were introduced before the beginning of session are House Bill 183 that would provide special primary elections when there is a special election for either the House or Senate. The bill is on the agenda for Jan. 14 in the House Elections and Government Affairs Committee.

On the Senate side, Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford, is sponsoring SB 215, the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act, legislation aimed at protecting fairness, safety and privacy for female student-athletes in Delaware. The bill awaits action in the Senate Education Committee.