Legislative wrap-up 02/04/20

Ghost gun bill voted out of House committee

A bill that would make it illegal to possess an unfinished firearm frame, one with no serial number or to make or distribute a gun made using a 3D printer moved through the House Administration Committee Jan. 22.

House Bill 277 would make it a felony for someone to have a an unfinished firearm frame or receiver with no serial number; possess a covert or undetectable firearm; have an untraceable firearm; use a ED printer to create a firearm; or manufacture and distribute any of the mentioned firearms.

The bill now awaits action in the full House.

Dog protection bill ready for governor signature

A bill that protects dogs from being left outside during hazardous weather conditions passed the Senate Jan. 23 and now awaits the governor's signature to become law.

Senate Bill 139 was approved by the Senate Jan. 23 15-4 with two absent. Those voting against included Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View and Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford.

The bill makes sure dogs have proper shelter when left outdoors, and limits the amount of time a dog can be tethered in normal and inclement weather. The bill also aims to improve public safety by prohibiting dogs from running at-large without a leash in public outdoor settings. Working dogs and dogs that are protecting farmland or livestock are exempt from some provisions in the bill.

Owners who refuse, fail, or neglect to comply with this section will face a civil fine like a speeding or parking ticket. The bill sets those fines at $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second, and $500 for each subsequent violation.

The bill was approved by the House on Jan. 21 by vote of 33-6 with two absent. Among those voting against the bill were Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, Rep. Charles Postles, R-Milford, and Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, R-Bridgeville.

Bill to allow firearms for medical marijuana patients

Senate Bill 79 would allow patients under the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act to own or buy a firearm.

The bill would make a technical correction to allow gun ownership by patients who participate in the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act. The bill is in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. It passed the full Senate in June by a vote of 20 yes with one absent.

Medical marijuana home grow bill in committee

A bill that would allow patients to grow medical marijuana at home awaits action in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

Introduced in June, the Delaware Patient Right to Grow Act would allow registered patients or caregivers to grow their own marijuana for an undetermined fee. The bill would allow up to six mature plants and up to six immature plants to be cultivated. The growing area would have to be enclosed and locked, and each plant must have a tag with the registrant's information.

Absentee voting bill passes first leg to amend Constitution

A bill that would amend the state Constitution by eliminating limitations on when an individual may vote by absentee ballot passed the Senate Jan. 16 by a 14-5 vote with one absent.

The bill was already passed by the House in April 38-3 giving the bill its first leg to become part of the Constitution. The second leg must be passed by both houses of the next consecutive session in order for the Constitution to be changed. The amendment to the Constitution would read, “The General Assembly shall enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures by which registered voters may vote by absentee ballot.”