Veto override moves through Senate

A move to override Gov. Matt Meyer’s 2025 veto of a bill that took away county control of marijuana retail establishments moved through the Senate Jan. 28, and now awaits action in the House.

Senate Bill 75 had passed both the House and Senate before the last General Assembly ended in June, but Meyer vetoed the bill in August because it displaced local land-use authority.

With a three-fifths vote needed to override a veto, the Senate had the needed number of votes with its 14-6 passage. Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, did not vote. He previously voted against the bill.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration. In June, the House passed the original bill 25-13 with one not voting, one absent, and former Rep. Stell Parker Selby’s seat vacant, still enough votes to override a veto on the House side.

If passed, the bill would allow the state to set operating hours for retail marijuana stores, and an amendment would allow stores within 500 feet of a place of worship in an area zoned for commercial or industrial use.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Charles Paradee, D-Dover, with support from Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach, was aimed at Sussex County ordinances, which some legislators felt restricted the retail marijuana business too much in Sussex County.

Sussex County amended its rules Nov. 18 for locating retail marijuana shops, scaling back buffers from municipal boundaries but leaving in place distances from institutions such as churches and schools.

The amendments were intended to satisfy concerns of the state General Assembly.

Right to repair boat 

A bill that would require fair and reasonable access to parts, tools, software and documentation needed to repair boats, engines and other specialized machinery was introduced Jan. 28.

House Bill 279 is sponsored by Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, and Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, to protect the right to repair boats and vessels after manufacturers have increasingly erected barriers to self-repair, forcing owners to use service centers and technicians instead.

“Delawareans have a long history of being able to repair their own cars, boats and tractors,” Collins said in a statement. “I’ve spent countless hours in my own workshop doing all these tasks. Even as technology changes, our do-it-yourself heritage shouldn’t. In our state, especially Sussex County, marine equipment is vital to our economy, supporting both occupations and recreation. With people being increasingly squeezed financially, we need to preserve their right to fix their own property.”

Huxtable agreed with Collins in partnering with the bill.

"Delaware’s marine industry is essential to our coastal economy, yet too many boat owners and operators are being forced into monopolized repair systems that drive up cost and limit choices,” he said. “This bill is about consumer protection – giving people the power to repair, maintain and operate their equipment without being subject to price gouging or unfair, monopolized pricing.”